Called to account

Article Abstract:

A cross-party Public Accounts Committe report has found that Health authorities in England have mis-used 15.5 million pounds sterling out of funds allocated for the treatment of AIDS/HIV patients, with 3.8 million pounds sterling beng mis-used in Scotland. North West Thames Regional Health Authority, which has more reported HIV cases than any other region, has admitted 9.2 million pounds sterling expenditure on new buildings from its HIV/AIDS budget, but claims that the amount was only borrowed and has been repaid to the budget. It is claimed by some authorities that the government's estimates of funds needed might be excessive, but the committee does not accept the excuses and has recommended allocated funds be more closely watched from now on, with auditing every quarter. Terrence Higgins Trust, AIDS charity, claims services have not been expanded as they should have been as a preventive measure, though there have been no complaints from nursing staff.

Care and treatment, Finance, AIDS (Disease), Socialized medicine

---

People first

Article Abstract:

People with learning difficulties are angered by the way in which they are portrayed and are fighting to change the negative image they have been given. The charity MENCAP is to abandon its 'Little Stephen' logo following a three-year campaign by self-advocacy group People First. The logo is not only regarded as offensive but is seen to imply that people with learning difficulties are children. Although the term mentally handicapped has largely been replaced by the term learning disability, those affected argue that the less negative term, learning difficulty, should be used instead.

Portrayals, Mentally disabled persons

---

Cause for alarm

Article Abstract:

The Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy looked into the deaths of 1,266 babies, and gave an example of a woman whose newborn baby died due to inadequate care during its delivery. The enquiry reports that over 50% of the deaths which resulted from lack of oxygen or distress during labour could have been avoided if midwives had given a better standard of care. Nurses have responded to the report by saying that nurses should recognize the need to update their skills, and managers need to facilitate this. Guidelines may be produced as a result of the report.

Reports, Practice, Midwives, Infants (Newborn), Newborn infants, Infant mortality, Perinatal death

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Starved of attention. In praise of intolerance. Tall poppies
• Abstracts: Vitamin controversy. Covering baby. (insurance for pregnant women). Parenteral nutrition
• Abstracts: Ergonomics on the plant floor. Keep up your guards
• Abstracts: Wage a food fight against cancer. Bruised faces and broken hearts: violence in the home. Safety directors: too many tasks, too liitle time
• Abstracts: Nurses for sale. Warned in the USA: US nurses are fighting against 'multiskilling', whereby support workerstake over many of their jobs. Yet the NHS looks set to follow the sameroute

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.