Prime minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown has been urged to help children across the country affected by domestic violence by backing more schemes like a pioneering project in Norwich.

More than six out of 10 NHS trusts have not carried out criminal record checks on staff who started work before new rules came into force, a survey has revealed. Research by BBC Radio Five Live said the number of workers who have not been vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) could top 50,000.

Families caring for disabled children are to receive £340m to help improve their lives, Economic Secretary Ed Balls has announced. {mosimage}Over the next three years, money will be spent on

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.

The chairman of the British Medical Association, James Johnson, resigned suddenly last night over accusations that he was siding with the government in the debacle over training jobs for junior doctors. Mr Johnson said the criticism of him had “got very nasty” and he felt he had lost the confidence of some of his colleagues.

Council workers, charity staff and doctors will be required to tip off police about anyone whom they believe could commit a violent crime, under secret Home Office plans.

People with learning difficulties such as Down’s syndrome are to be tagged and monitored by satellite technology in a controversial pilot project.