The NHS is probably using too many expensive treatments, according to health economists and managers. New drugs are generally only used if they cost under £30,000 for each year of good health they provide. But some claim this is too high and forces potentially more effective care to be ditched due to limited funds.
GPs and pharmacists do not know enough about allergies, putting patients lives at risk, campaigners say. Allergy UK said training on the subject was extremely limited and many people were going undiagnosed. And the pressure group said even when diagnoses were made, medics often had nowhere to send patients as there were limited specialist allergy clinics.
Families caring for disabled children are to receive £340m to help improve their lives, Economic Secretary Ed Balls has announced. Over the next three years, money will be spent on improving childcare and support for parents struggling to cope.
Commenting on the fire that has severely damaged the Cutty Sark this morning, Liberal Democrat Heritage Spokesman Paul Holmes MP said: "This is a very sad occurrence and I hope that the damage can be restored. Nevertheless, the loss of the original timbers is a great loss to our heritage and history of 19th century international trade. The Cutty Sark is an important part of British merchant navy heritage and is one of the very last remaining tea clippers powered by sail. The Cutty Sark Trust has worked hard to restore the ship and now they must be devastated."
Speaking in the House of Commons today, Liberal Democrat Culture and Heritage Spokesman Paul Holmes MP asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport:
Liberal Democrats in Chesterfield have hit out at the government's failure to listen to the concerns of local people in over post office closures. The Government announced last week that they will continue with their plan to close at least 2,500 post offices across the country.
