Articles in Health

THE national health helpline, NHS Direct, is bidding to become a co-operative through the foundation trust scheme. A consultation is currently underway to gauge the reaction for the public to be able to manage the service, which helps over 28 million people each year through its website and on the telephone.

WITH Labour recording a ten point lead over the Tories in the national polls, the prospect of Gordon Brown calling an autumn general election seemed feasible, if not a nailed on certainty.

What will happen to the National Health Service? I could be asking about the potential closure of all general hospitals, the crippling cost of paying for the Private Finance Initiative, whether foundation trusts are viable or democratic, or even, indeed, about the role of GPs. But my question actually applies to an even more fundamental issue — can the NHS survive as a tax-funded service?

THE new executive management team to lead the merged trading businesses of the Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives has been announced by incoming Chief Executive Peter Marks. Following the overwhelming support of members of both societies, the merger will be formally completed on 29 July, though planning to bring the £ 9bn turnover businesses together will get underway immediately with the aim of creating 'one business in one year'.