MPs are to debate growing concerns over failings in NHS maternity services. It comes ahead of a BBC Panorama programme which shows the pressure hospitals are under and claims wards are buckling under a midwife shortage.

One of the active chemicals in cannabis inhibits psychotic symptoms in people with schizophrenia, according to a study which compared it with a leading anti-psychotic drug.

Tony Blair has admitted his NHS reforms have been “really tough” for staff but said waiting list cuts, new hospitals and more staff were a sign of success.

Too few seriously ill children are receiving palliative care in their final weeks, a study suggests. A team from Great Ormond Street Hospital found the number dying in intensive care has increased over the last decade.

{mosimage}The Journal of Medical Ethics study suggests guidance on managing symptoms, rather than being given invasive care, is not being followed enough. But experts said intensive care could be the right kind of assistance.

In 1997, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health published guidance on when it might be recommended that active treatment or life support could be withdrawn, meaning children could be cared for on a general ward or at home

The researchers wanted to see how often this was put into practice. They analysed data on deaths in the hospital of children aged up to 18 from 1997 to 2004. During the seven years, 1,127 children died, over half of whom (58%) were younger than 12 months.

Local councils are to carry out their own census-style checks on immigrant numbers because of glaring underestimates in official figures. The councils, particularly in the South East, say that they do not get enough central government help with local services because the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is incapable of providing correct numbers.