There was sixfold increase in new cases of syphilis in Britain between 1996 and last year and the largest increases have been seen among gay men in the Manchester area. 414 new cases of the disease were diagnosed in the city, according to a report in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, of which 83 per cent were in gay men. It was also found that another sexually transmitted infection was detected in 30 per cent of individuals and 37 per cent of gay men with syphilis were also HIV positive. The study said unprotected oral sex was the key transmission route and pointed to long waiting times for appointments at sexual health clinics as a factor in delayed diagnosis of the disease.
The latest estimate of the total number of people living with HIV in Britain is over 50,000, according to latest figures from the Health Protection Agency and reported by the UKC (UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and Aids). “This total of 50,000 is probably an underestimate as around 50 per cent of heterosexual infection is believed to be undiagnosed,” said the UKC’s chairman Bernard Forbes. Over 60 per cent of the total, or over 30,000 people, are believed to be living, working, or being treated in London.
Latest Department of Health (DoH) figures suggesting that hospital food and cleanliness standards have improved have been slammed for bearing no relation to reality. The DoH say 192 hospitals in Britain were awarded the top green rating for cleanliness and food, double the number that received the rating last year. But a separate NHS patient survey has found that one in ten thought toilets on hospital wards were dirty and seven per cent thought the ward itself was not clean. Liberal Democrat health spokesman Dr Evan Harris MP said: “The clean hospital programme should be prosecuted under the Trades Description Act.”
The Department of Health is set to relax a ban on advertisements for over the counter medicines which can be bought in chemists and supermarkets. However, the DoH will retain a strict ban on advertising to the public for prescription drugs. Ad restrictions will be removed for certain diseases, but retained for others, such as infectious diseases, HIV and TB.
South African High Court judge and leading worldwide HIV positive activist Mr Justice Edwin Cameron will present the third Diana, Princess of Wales lecture on Aids for the National Aids Trust (NAT) on 1 December to mark World Aids Day. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan gave the first lecture in 2000 and former US President Clinton presented the second in 2001. Contact NAT on 020 7814 6767 or visit: www.nat.org.uk
Expert patient representatives are being sought to join London’s Patient and Public Involvement forums (PPI). The groups are planned to have unprecedented powers to make checks on NHS standards and give the public influence in health decision making. The PPI forums come into being this December and those interested in applying for the voluntary posts are asked to call 0845 120 7115 or visit: www.maketimeforhealth.org
Disabled people and employers are being urged to respond by the end of November to the ongoing consultation about major legal reforms to the employment of disabled people. The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is calling for responses from people affected by proposed changes to the Disability Discrimination Act which comes into force in October 2004. The Act will mean that disabled people in small businesses will be protected by law for the first time. For details, contact the DRC on 08457 622 633 or visit: www.drc-gb.org
