Prof Holley has shown that genetically engineered ear cells from mice can be transplanted into humans.* Eye clinics leave blind and partially sighted patients distressed because they provide inadequate support, the Royal National Institute for the Blind suggests. A survey of 200 patients found seven out of ten said they wanted emotional help, but only two out of ten were offered it.. More than 100 people infected with the Hepatitis C virus through receiving blood transfusions, blood products or transplanted organs in the course of medical treatment today won their High Court battle for damages. More than 100 people infected with the Hepatitis C virus through receiving blood transfusions, blood products or transplanted organs in the course of medical treatment today won their High Court battle for damages.Mr Justice Burton ruled that 114 claimants, who have been granted anonymity, were entitled to compensation.In six lead cases, chosen to give general guidance on damages, the judge awarded sums ranging from more than £10,000 to in excess of £210,000.The case was the first multi–party action to go to court under the Consumer Protection Act, which became law in 1988.Today’s ruling sets an important precedent by establishing a legal link between medical liability and consumer rights.During the lengthy hearing, Michael Brooke QC, for the claimants, told the judge that those bringing the case had been infected since March 1, 1988, and had the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which affects the liver, “in a wide range of circumstances”.They launched their claims against the National Blood Authority (in England) and the Velindre NHS Trust (in Wales), who contested the action.The defendants are the NHS bodies answerable today for the production and supply of blood and blood products over the period since March 1, 1988, by the National Blood Transfusion Service, said Mr Brooke.Claimants included mothers who received blood transfusions or blood products immediately after childbirth.Some people received blood transfusions or blood products in the course of undergoing surgery.Others received blood transfusions or blood products in the course of treatment for a blood disorder. Several young children became infected while being treated for leukaemia.. Doctors are to be banned from issuing “Do not resuscitate” (DNR) notices on patients without consent as part of a drive against ageism in the health service.

The move, to be announced this week by Alan Milburn, the Secretary of State for Health, follows public alarm about doctors routinely writing “DNR” on the notes of older patients, allegedly because of their age. Doctors are to be banned from issuing “Do not resuscitate” (DNR) notices on patients without consent as part of a drive against ageism in the health service. The move, to be announced this week by Alan Milburn, the Secretary of State for Health, follows public alarm about doctors routinely writing “DNR” on the notes of older patients, allegedly because of their age.
Mr Milburn is also ready to give hospital consultants an unprecedented veto over spending by their hospitals, as part of a concerted drive to pass decision-making to the front line. Hospital clinical teams will have to be consulted by their hospitals over equipment to be bought from the £100m extra allocated in Gordon Brown’s Budget. Cancer scanners cost £600,000, mammography equipment £80,000, ultrasound scanners £70,000 and kidney dialysis machines £60,000.Labour’s election manifesto will give a clear signal that the NHS could follow education in passing more power down from Whitehall for decision-making by staff in the service.The move to give consultants more power may go some way to defusing a row with them over plans to stop new consultants working in the private sector for up to seven years after finishing their training.

The plans have been shelved until after the electionMr Milburn has also tried to head off rumbles of unrest among family doctors before the election over low morale and rising workloads in family practices by offering new GPs £10,000 in “golden hellos” and £10,000 to GPs putting off retirement until they are 65.And he is the first Cabinet minister to tell the Prime Minister publicly that he does not want to be moved in a post-election Cabinet reshuffle. Mr Milburn said he wanted to stay at the Department of Health to deliver the changes in the NHS national plan.. A health trust has apologised to hundreds of hospital patients whose cases were reviewed after a German doctor misinterpreted test results. A health trust has apologised to hundreds of hospital patients whose cases were reviewed after a German doctor misinterpreted test results.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said today that consultant histopathologist Dr Georg Brox had been suspended after making 19 errors in checks for various diseases.Nine people were given wrong or unnecessary treatment, and another 10 were not recalled for more tests at the right time because of the mistakes, according to the trust.Dr Brox worked at Crawley Hospital and East Surrey Hospital in Redhill for four months, studying samples from around 1,350 patients.Chief executive Ken Cunningham said: “I would like to express my sincere personal apologies to any patient who may have received inappropriate treatment or who might be otherwise concerned.”A trust spokesman said that concerns over Dr Brox’s work were first raised by a fellow doctor last April. He was then sent for clinical assessment in a large teaching hospital, where his professional performance was found to be below standard.He was immediately suspended and an external review by the Royal College of Pathologists also concluded his work was “unacceptable”.Checks on all the 1,780 tests carried out by the doctor, who resigned in January, have now been completed.”The review identified a total of nine patients who – as a result of Dr Brox’s work – have received treatment they did not need, or did not immediately receive treatment they did need,” the trust spokesman added.”Additionally the review identified 10 patients whose clinical management has been reconsidered as a result of the review.”Mr Cunningham continued: “Any misinterpretation by a histopathologist, which affects patient treatment, is a matter of deep regret and great concern.”But in this particular case I believe our system of checks and balances worked well in picking up this problem and dealing with it.”Dr Brox has also been reported to the General Medical Council.Histopathologists analyse tissue or fluid samples from patients to diagnose a variety of illnesses including, in some cases, cancer..

Under the protective clustering of a rather macabre clump of antlers, collected together in the bowels of Cecil Sharp House (the London headquarters of the English Folk Song Society), Jeremy Haneman, director of the London Gay Men’s Chorus, is putting some 75 men through their paces. At his command, they “ooh”, “ahh”, massage each other’s shoulders and, warm-ups complete, launch into the emphatic refrain that runs through one of the most unusual and exhilarating musical events to be performed in London in recent years. Under the protective clustering of a rather macabre clump of antlers, collected together in the bowels of Cecil Sharp House (the London headquarters of the English Folk Song Society), Jeremy Haneman, director of the London Gay Men’s Chorus, is putting some 75 men through their paces. At his command, they “ooh”, “ahh”, massage each other’s shoulders and, warm-ups complete, launch into the emphatic refrain that runs through one of the most unusual and exhilarating musical events to be performed in London in recent years.
“Why do you sing?” carols Haneman, rehearsing the part that, at the two Roundhouse performances of Because I Sing by Belgian director Alain Platel, will be sung by The Shout, a 20-strong choir led by composer Orlando Gough and musical director Richard Chew. “I sing because I sing”, the men chorus back, their harmonies already threading a narrative of their own. “I sing because I sing.”But why – and when – do people sing? Modern life offers few chances. Church attendance is in freefall and the secular opportunities – among football crowds, perhaps – are limited.

Yet anyone involved with music at any level can testify to the emotional surge that singing – being in unison with others – offers. Conductor Ben Zander uses song in his motivational seminars by getting his classes to sing (and they do, lustily, and in German) Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”. Healing centres now offer singing groups to the world weary.It’s these questions that occupy Platel most. Written specifically with the Roundhouse’s acoustics in mind and involving some 16 choirs, in addition to The Shout, and 600 singers, Because I Sing has as its aim the mapping of a songline for London out of the capital’s diverse communities.