SSRI warning

'Possible small risk' of heart defects with SSRI warns MHRA.

Electronic medical records explained

The system could potentially breach privacy laws, however, could prevent medical errors.

Hope for vitiligo patients

US researchers say skin transplant surgery effective way to treat vitiligo.

Cholesterol guidelines need to be followed

Doctors need to follow guidelines to reduce cholesterol in patients with high risk of heart disease.

Managers want power to fire GPs

NHS managers call for the power to fire GPs and get rid of small practices.

'Statin' without side effects developed

Eprotirome tablets could cut risk of heart attacks without unpleasant side-effects.

Children should be vaccinated against flu

New research shows vaccinating children against flu can help stop spread to high-risk people.

Darzi contracts remodelled

PCTs amend Darzi centre contracts to toughen up performance targets.

GP pay award slammed

GP leaders hit out at government plans to hand GPs an effective pay cut.

Group set up to help victims of violence

Ann Keen has announced a new group has been set up to help the NHS provide better help for women and children.

Warning over health policies

MPs say health policy differences between England and Wales hamper services.

Parental leave extended to four months

The EU has extended minimum leave for parents to four months.

BBC News

System C is top employer

The healthcare IT software services company is named as one of the top 100 employers to work for in the UK.

Sanofi and Merck create a joint venture

Sanofi and Merck agree to combine their animal divisions creating a joint venture with a 29% share of the market.

Pharmacist refuses to issue pill because of religion

An investigation has been launched after a woman is refused the contraceptive pill because of pharmacist's religion.

Live kidney donors do not risk death

US researchers say live kidney donors are not at a higher risk of dying.

iPhone app to help smokers quit

An iPhone application has been launched to help people quit smoking.

Hope for flu sufferers

Researchers say new studies show feeling lousy with flu could be reactions in the brain rather than the physical symptoms.

Behavioural problems linked to future pain

Researchers think faulty hormone signals in the brain play a key role.

No evidence that acupuncture aids IVF

Fertility experts say couples may be wasting their money on acupuncture to increase pregnancy chances through IVF.

Action plan to reduce obesity in Wales

Welsh families offered action plans about healthy eating and exercise.

Botox to treat wrist spasms

The FDA have approved Botox to treat elbow, finger and wrist spasms in adults.

Increase in melanoma cases

Researchers say melanoma cases are on the rise.

Sports drive to coax students out of pubs

Sport England has launched a £10m drive to get university students out of the pub and onto a sports pitch.

Papaya has cancer-fighting properties

Researchers say papaya leaf extract and its tea has cancer-fighting properties against a broad range of tumours.

What is your risk of pneumonia?

The US National Library of Medicine lists risk factors that could put you at greater risk of pneumonia.

Why don't we use vaccine for chickenpox?

It is peak season for chickenpox and we have a safe and effective vaccine - so why don't we use it?

Senior NHS managers face pay freeze

Top-earning public sector workers are facing a pay freeze following a report by the indepedent salary review body.

Mammograms fail to detect cancer

A study has discovered that mammograms pick up just 33% of breast cancers.

Birth defects rise in Fallujah

The BBC has been told of the rise in birth defects in Fallujah and US weaponry is being blamed.

DNA test to select the right diet

US researchers say a DNA test could predict which weight-loss diet works best for you.

Osteoarthritis pain relief from electromagnetic pulses

Scientists claim device that emits electromagnetic pulses could provide pain relief to people with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Women wine drinkers stay slimmer

A study shows moderate drinkers gain less weight than teetotallers.

Patient care in cupboards

A survey reveals many nurses say patients are treated in areas 'not designed for care'.

Too much fruit can be 'unhealthy'

Fruit has health benefits, but too much can cause obesity and tooth decay.

Health stories from around the world

A new study has found how potato juice can help indigestion, light therapy is used for skin conditions and magnets could help fight cancer.

HIV hides in bone marrow

Researchers in the US have discovered that HIV hides in progenitor cells in bone marrow.

The worst cities for asthma sufferers

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American has ranked the worst cities to live if you have asthma.

Cognitive abilities likely to decline with hospitalisation

A new study reports that older people are more likely to suffer cognitive decline after being hospitalised.

Four steps to stabilise your mood

Tips from Julie Fast who is an expert on bipolar disorder on how to combat depression.

Egg is the new superfood

Study review by nutrition scientists finds eggs have high levels of vitamins and antioxidants.

Equal rights for women and girls makes for better health

Fight against discrimination and inequalities that compromise women and girls' health around the world.

WHO to release new malaria guidelines

The World Health Organisation releases new guidelines for the treatment of malaria.

Illegal cord blood collections warning

Regulator says 'unlicensed and untrained' people are taking samples.

'Sunshine' vitamin D crucial say scientists

Scientists have found why vitamin D is vital.

UK donates money to SA for condoms

The UK has donated £1 million to help prevent the spread of HIV in South Africa.

Pregnancy mistaken for IBS

Hairdresser diagnosed with IBS gives birth three hours after finding out she was actually pregnant.

Scottish parliament calls for NHS telehealth improvements

Members of Scottish parliament have said shortfalls in NHS computing systems means patients miss out on better care and treatment.

Coffee cuts diabetes risk

More than one cup of coffee at lunchtime could cut the risk of type 2 diabetes by a third.

Common painkillers affect hearing

Over-the-counter medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen are linked to increased hearing loss.