More than 40,000 medication errors are made in the NHS in a year, it was revealed today, and while most mistakes lead to no ill effects, 2,000 cause moderate to severe harm to patients. The figures have been collated by the National Patient Safety Agency from reports of mistakes in the dose or type of drug given to patients and submitted to the agency by doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff. The statistics inevitably underestimate the problem to a degree since not all errors are reported.

Pam Hutton has had to navigate some low points in her life and has battled with serious depression for much of her adulthood. The mother of three tried to commit suicide on several occasions, lost her job, got divorced, and has been treated with medications and electro-convulsive therapy. But Ms Hutton, 55, has now turned her life around: she is much better and has a job she loves. Much of the credit for this success she attributes to the confidence and sense of purpose she gained by volunteering to help other people.

One in four adult women has experienced at least one physical assault from a partner during adulthood, and one incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute. The findings of a study recently presented to frontline workers shows there are still many barriers to women seeking help for themselves and their children. It is not simply a case, as some would argue, of “she just won’t leave him”.

We all know the Department of Health worries deeply about the state of the NHS and seldom spares a thought for social services. But we are wrong, says David Behan, who stepped down last week after two years as chief inspector of social care. Behan will shortly take up a new position on the department’s senior board as director general for social care. He accepts that the DH has traditionally focused more on the NHS. And this was particularly true recently when Sir Nigel Crisp combined the jobs of departmental permanent secretary and NHS chief executive.

Staff at NHS Direct in England are warning they may take industrial action unless bosses change their plans to close call centres and cut jobs. The nurse-led telephone and internet advice service is trying to save £15m to balance its books by cutting nearly 800 posts and 12 call centres. But Unison and the Royal College of Nursing have warned staff are angry, saying the proposals would risk lives. NHS Direct said the proposals would make it more effective and efficient.

Healthcare spending is subject to a postcode lottery, with some areas paying out more on cancer, heart disease or mental health than others, a new report says. Primary care trusts are charged with buying healthcare to suit the priorities of their populations, but data from the King’s Fund, the independent health foundation, finds that even taking into account varying needs, there are large and sometimes surprising differences.

A new directory of things to do, opportunities and services will soon be published for people with learning disabilities in North Devon and Torridge. CARE Devon has been commissioned by Devon County Council to produce the directory, which will be available free from libraries, community hubs and drop in centres, Tourist Information Centres, and online at www.learningdisabilitydevon.gov.uk from September. Devon County Council and partner agencies support people with learning disabilities to lead full and active lives, so a comprehensive directory in an easy to use format is being widely welcomed.

Three charities are calling for an independent inquiry into how a severely disabled woman was left in a bus depot overnight. It follows a story about a 44-year-old mentally and physically disabled woman who was left sitting on one of Lewisham Council’s Door2Door buses at the Wearside Depot for more than 14 hours. Transport bosses immediately suspended the driver and attendant involved and they have been subject to an internal investigation. But Lewisham Mencap, the Lewisham Disability Coalition and Lewisham Speaking Up are asking the council to begin a full and open inquiry into the incident.

The Department of Health (DH) is to carry out a survey on how the Electronic Social Care Record (ESCR) is developing around the country. The survey, carried out on behalf of the DH’s ESCR Implementation Group, will aim to see what progress is being made by local authorities and form the basis of further work on the ESCR. David Johnstone, co-chair of the ESCR implementation group and director of adult and community services at Devon County Council, told EHI Primary Care that it was hoped the survey would be launched in September with analysis of the results available from mid–October.

The Lyons Inquiry into local government represents an important opportunity to realise the ideals of ‘double devolution’ and strengthen communities, according to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).  In its response to the Lyons Inquiry, NCVO said that the voluntary and community sector can play a key role in ‘double devolution’, by helping people to engage with their local areas. NCVO called on local government to work in partnership with a broad range of voluntary and community organisations in order to reach out to ‘communities of interest’, which include faith and cultural groups, as well as targeting people based on their geographical location.