By Shirley Kumar, Clare Jerrom and Amy Taylor
Doctors helping patients to die
A survey designed to influence the right-to-die debate suggests nearly half of doctors believe colleagues help patients to commit suicide by providing drugs or are more directly involved in their death. The online survey for the Voluntary Euthanasia Society found 45 per cent of doctors thought other health professionals were helping patients to die.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 21 October 2004 page 2
You can’t claw back powers Clarke tells local councils
Local councils are to increasingly lose their role in providing services to schools and should not seek to regain control allowing them to tell headteachers what to do, Charles Clarke said yesterday. The education secretary made it clear the government would continue to reform councils, ensuring they pursue better services rather than running services directly.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 21 October 2004 page 12
Council chiefs warn of cuts to services
The Local Government Association warned councils there was a £1 billion shortfall in the amount Whitehall was prepared to give councils for 2005-06. LGA chair Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said the pressure to keep council tax increases to a minimum will lead to cuts in services.
Source:- The Financial Times Thursday 21 October 2004 page 4
Asylum spending doubles
Spending on asylum seekers has more than doubled under Labour costing £3 billion over the last seven years. Asylum applications are almost 60 per cent higher than they were in 1997.
Source:- The Daily Mail Thursday 21 October 2004 page 2
Refugees to be diverted from unsafe Swansea
Asylum seekers are being diverted from Swansea after an Iraqi Kurd was killed. The family of Kalan Karim who died after being attacked outside a pub last month claimed every one of the city’s estimated 180 Iraqi Kurds had suffered abuse.
Source:- The Independent Thursday 21 October 2004 page 20
Children’s main fear is knife culture
A survey of 550 children aged 11-16 found most felt threatened by antisocial behaviour, although the majority did not understand the term. The study conducted by Crime Concern and Norwich Union found half of respondents had been a victim of some form of verbal or physical abuse before the age of 16.
Source:- The Times Thursday 21 October 2004 page 6
Midwives to ask all pregnant women: Does your husband beat you up?
Doctors and midwives are to ask all pregnant women if they have been beaten by their partners as part of the crackdown on domestic violence. Mothers-to-be will be discreetly questioned by health care staff during ante-natal check ups.
Source:- The Times Thursday 21 October 2004 page 22
Website offers solace for victims of bullying
The charity beatbullying has opened a new interactive active website to give hope and support to children. The website www.bbcclic.com will also offer advice for teachers and for bullies.
Source:- The Times Thursday 21 October 2004 page 22
Town halls put in their place
Town halls are to lose a lot of their control over the way schools, social care and other local services are run, education secretary Charles Clarke said yesterday. Clarke told delegates at the National Social Service conference he wanted a new relationship with councils in which they become the agents of central government.
Source:- The Times Thursday 21 October 2004 page 2
Scottish newspapers
Childminder faces £100,000 claim by parents after baby’s death
A former childminder who was acquitted of murdering a child in her care is being sued for £100,000 by the child’s parents. Tina McLeod was cleared of repeatedly and violently shaking Alexander Graham at her home in Edinburgh. Stephen and Kirstie Graham are each claiming £50,000 damages alleging their son died as a result of the "deliberate infliction of the injury upon him".
Source:- The Scotsman Thursday 21 October
Capital looks to Glasgow over drink restraints
Edinburgh may follow Glasgow’s example of controlling irresponsible drinks promotion. A report to the licensing board suggests that consideration should be given to whether a similar approach to heavy discounting of alcohol could be developed in Edinburgh.
Source:- The Herald Thursday 21 October
Welsh newspapers
Judge to decide baby Luke’s fate
A top judge will decide whether a seriously ill baby should be resuscitated if his condition deteriorates. Doctors want to leave nine-month-old Luke Winston-Jones to die naturally if he worsens but his mother wants them to do all in their power to save her son.
Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, president of the High Court Family Division, is set to rule on the case.
Source:- Western Mail Thursday 21 October
Don’t demonise young says police chief
A Welsh police officer has urged adults to stop demonising children on the street. Terry Grange, chief constable of Dyfed police, called on adults to remember their own youth before calling for tough penalties for young people.
Source:- Western Mail Thursday 21 October
