Ashworth reprieved: The health secretary, Frank Dobson, has rejected a proposal to close Ashworth special hospital, near Liverpool. A stricter regime will, however, be imposed in all special hospitals following 60 recommendations of an inquiry, chaired by Peter Fallon QC.
Number without health insurance in US is rising: Over 43 million Americans do not have health insurance, and the number is rising by 100000 a month, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health. One in six Americans is now uninsured, up from one in seven in 1990.
Extra £10m for colorectal cancer: The Department of Health has announced the allocation of £10m ($16m) for new initiatives to improve colorectal cancer services. These include developing endoscopy services, increasing the number of nurse led endoscopy sessions, and additional fast track clinics.
Use of cannabis in Netherlands is lower than previously estimated: The use of cannabis in the Netherlands is less than half that previously estimated by the Dutch government, according to a national survey of 22000 people aged 12 or over. Results show that 323000 people (2.5% of the population) had used cannabis during the previous month, compared with official government estimates of 675000.
Centre for diabetes opens in Oxford: The Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, which will open in 2001, will integrate basic and clinical research, clinical care, and scientific and patient education in hormone related and metabolic diseases. It is being set up with £4.2m from the NHS and £4m from the drug company Novo Nordisk .
Help for air passengers: British Airways is planning to install air to ground cardiac monitors and defribillators in its long haul aeroplane fleet to help cabin crew deal with in-flight emergencies.