Report finds methadone users commit less crime: A review of the court appearance records of 11 126 users of heroin in New South Wales, Australia, by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has found that those treated with methadone commit substantially fewer incidents of robbery, breaking and entering, and car theft. See www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar1.nsf/pages/index
Psychiatrists launch video about children whose parents have mental illness: The Royal College of Psychiatrists has launched a video teaching pack to improve the understanding of the needs of up to 175 000 children whose parents have mental illness. Being Seen and Heard can be ordered for £32.25 from the college (tel 020 7235 2351 ext 146).
Woman dies after blood group error during transplantation: Prosecutors in Switzerland have opened a criminal investigation into the death of a 57 year old Swiss woman last month after she received a heart transplant with the wrong blood group.
WHO appeals for $5.4m for Darfur region of Sudan: The World Health Organization has appealed to donors for $5.4m (£3m; €4.6m) to provide some 1.2 million people with basic health supplies. Aid agencies say government backed, ethnic Arab militias have killed 30 000 civilians in “ethnic cleansing” in the Darfur region since February 2003.
GP numbers rise: The number of GPs working in the NHS is now 30 598. The total exceeds by 131 the government's target set out in the NHS Plan in 1999 for an extra 2000 GPs by March 2004. But the BMA claims that many of these GPs will be working part time and that the increase is “at best” 1323 full time equivalent GPs.
Abortion rally takes place in Washington, DC: An estimated 500 000 to 800 000 people marched through Washington, DC on 25 April in protest at what they saw as attempts by the prolife lobby to undermine existing rights to legal abortion in the United States.