UK family doctors to be given “golden hellos”: A package of measures to boost GP numbers was unveiled last week by health minister John Hutton. The package includes a “golden hello” scheme, which will give up to £5000 ($7500) to every GP who joins the NHS, with an extra payment of up to £5000 if they work in an area with a shortage of doctors.
India bans smoking in public places: India's Supreme Court has directed all states to issue orders banning smoking in public places and on public transport, including railways.
Surgeon struck off for botching operations: Steven Walker, aged 44, a surgeon at the Blackpool Victoria NHS Trust between December 1995 and March 1998, was struck off the General Medical Register last week for serious professional misconduct. The General Medical Council ruled that Mr Walker had performed liver, bowel, and breast operations “beyond the limit” of his competence. Four women patients had died.
President's surgeon accused of negligence: Dr Frantisek Fabian, who performed surgery on the president of Slovakia, Rudolf Schuster, last summer to treat a perforated colon, faces charges of negligence. Mr Schuster's condition deteriorated after the operation, and he was flown to Innsbruck, Austria, for emergency surgery. If convicted, Dr Fabian could face up to five years in prison.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority asked to look at sex selection: The Department of Health has asked the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to look at the issue of sex selection by couples who want to choose the sex of their children. Although clinics that offer in vitro fertilisation—and which therefore fall under the jurisdiction of the authority—are forbidden by law from offering sex selection services (except for medical reasons), clinics that offer intrauterine insemination using the partner's sperm are allowed to offer “sperm sorting” techniques.