Hospital records of violence fall further

The number of people treated in hospital after violent injury fell in England and Wales in 2010, an annual and authoritative study says.

Doctors dealt with an estimated 313,000 violent incidents, down 11% in a year, the Cardiff University study said.

But for the second year running, the figures saw an unexplained rise in the small number of young children who went to hospital after a violent injury.

The study says the overall trend in violence has now fallen for a decade.

The annual research by the university's Violence and Society Research Group tries to capture an accurate picture of violence by counting incidents recorded at 59 emergency departments or minor injury units in England and Wales.

UK stillbirth rates among highest of rich nations

Stillbirth rates in the UK are higher than in almost every other high-income country, a series of reports suggest.

The UK had about 4,100 stillbirths in 2009 and, with a rate of 3.5 per 1,000 births, was ranked 33rd in a list of 193 countries - down from 26th in 1995.

Only France and Austria ranked lower among high-income nations.

The research, in The Lancet, also points to wide regional variations - stillbirths were a third more likely in the East Midlands than the South West.

According to the Lancet's figures, the 4,100 stillbirths in the UK in 2009 equates to about 11 children still born every day.

Although stillbirth rates are actually declining - by about 17.4% between 1995 and 2009 - other countries have moved faster, the report concludes.

NHS reform: Front-line clinical jobs 'under threat'

Front-line clinical jobs in the NHS are under threat in England, a union says.

A Royal College of Nursing analysis of 21 NHS trusts where cuts were taking place found more than half of posts under threat were in areas such as nursing and midwifery.

RCN leader Peter Carter said cutting thousands of doctors and nurses could have a "catastrophic" effect on care.

But deputy prime minister Nick Clegg maintained radical reorganisation of the NHS is needed.

4th May Nordic Walking sessions Dare Valley Country Park

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29th April Magnum The Park & Dare Theatre Treorchy

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27th April Nordic Walking sessions Dare Valley Country Park

10:30pm - 12.00pm Nordic Walking sessions every Thursday at 12pm. Poles provided, comfortable footwear is advisable and possibly a rain jacket. Ticket information RCT WALKING DEVELOPMENT email: Lee.Davies2@rctcbc.gov.uk Mob: 07786523703

Money woes 'linked to rise in depression

Economic problems may be fuelling a rise in depression in England, it has been suggested.

Prescriptions for anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac rose by more than 40% over the past four years, data obtained by the BBC shows.

GPs and charities said they were being contacted increasingly by people struggling with debt and job worries.

They said financial woe could often act as a "trigger", but added other factors may also be playing a role in the rise.

The rise has happened at a time when the government has been increasing access to talking therapies, which should in theory curb the demand for anti-depressants.

In the last year alone referrals for talking therapies rose four-fold to nearly 600,000, Department of Health figures showed.

Incapacity benefit crackdown begins after pilot scheme

The one-and-a-half million people who claim incapacity benefit will start to receive letters this week asking them to be tested on their ability to work.

The new assessments are part of government plans to reduce the number of long-term claimants in a rolling programme through to 2014.

Almost 30% of those who took the test during pilot schemes in Burnley and Aberdeen were declared fit to work.

However, disability charities say many of the assessments are unfair.

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17th April Symphony of Sound and Song Rhondda Sports Centre, Ystrad

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13th April Nordic Walking sessions Dare Valley Country Park

10:30pm - 12.00pm Nordic Walking sessions every Thursday . Poles provided, comfortable footwear is advisable and possibly a rain jacket. Ticket information RCT WALKING DEVELOPMENT email: Lee.Davies2@rctcbc.gov.uk Mob: 07786523703

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