Politicians are "not being open and honest" about the issue of hospital closures, a coalition of charities and patient groups says. Jeremy Taylor, head of National Voices, said the parties were happy to talk about the need for savings and moving care into the community. But he said...

Urgent changes to protect patients must be made to vetting of foreign doctors offering out-of-hours GP care, MPs say. The Health Committee warned NHS trusts "were not doing their jobs" by failing to check language and medical skills. But the MPs also said ministers should push for...

Hospital staff are being urged to offer advice on reducing drinking levels to people with alcohol-related injuries when they receive follow-up treatment. The Royal College of Surgeons of England said outpatient clinic visits offered a great opportunity for nurses to motivate people to drink...

Campaigners marking the fourth anniversary of Scotland’s smoking ban have called for more action to protect young people from passive smoking. ASH Scotland wants a "positive" campaign urging adults not to light up when children are present. Sheila Duffy, the charity’s...

Football fans travelling to the World Cup in South Africa should be vaccinated against swine flu, the Department of Health has warned. Although new cases of the pandemic virus in England are currently at low levels, the flu season in the southern hemisphere is due to start again soon....