A group of alleged victims of sexual and physical abuse at children’s homes in Manchester have been awarded more than £2m in compensation. The group of 168 individuals was formed in March 2000 in response to a Greater Manchester Police investigation.

A controversial new selection process for junior doctors could be scrapped by a high-level review, announced by the government last night, following an outcry over the failure of some of the best-qualified to get a single job interview.

The British Medical Association accused the government yesterday of instilling “a culture of fear” across the NHS to stop doctors revealing how health service reforms are putting patients’ lives at risk.

A devoted wife and mother left with profound brain damage following a tragic holiday accident four years ago has been given the “right to die” with dignity by a senior High Court judge.

A health trust has saved a couple from taking the agonising decision of which one of them should go blind. It agreed yesterday agreed to fund treatment for one of the pensioners following claims that the availability of sight-saving drugs on the NHS was a postcode lottery.

A housing service is looking for residents to give vulnerable adults a home. The Bromley Scheme for Adult Placements houses people who have learning or physical disabilities or mental health needs.

Mental health chiefs in Norfolk last night announced that they were cutting 100 jobs after their funding was slashed by £2m a year, sparking fears that patient care will be affected.

Unlike those with physical disabilities, people who suffer from Alzheimer’s and similar diseases struggle to get help from the state. The number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is soaring. And, says the Alzheimer’s Society, the cost of care is already more than £17bn.

The BBC has apologised for Jeremy Clarkson’s description of crash-victim Richard Hammond as “a mental”. Mental health groups complained about the Top Gear episode when co-presenter Hammond returned following his life-threatening smash.

A bullying nurse shoved, kicked and kneed frail elderly Peterborough patients in his care, an inquiry heard yesterday. Norman Pearce (59) roughly handled and screamed at vulnerable residents while on duty at Dove House in Peterborough, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) was told.