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Councils should share costs of child protection expert witnesses

ciswa meeting Local authorities should meet part of the cost of using expert witnesses in child protection cases, the Confederation of Independent Social Work Agencies (Ciswa) has stated. Ciswa directors Richard Jack, Philip King and Mark Willis said in an open letter, It has made the proposal because some solicitors “are inclined to avoid using experts who charge above the prescribed rates even where such experts offer a pricing model which is compliant with the rates,” They added: “Worryingly, these solicitors appear tempted to use low fee practitioners who are unlikely to have the requisite expertise to provide the necessary expert opinion in a case. This will expose children to unnecessary risk and [Ciswa] urges solicitors to stand firm in protecting the family justice system.”

There should be no choice over donating organs

From today, you won't be able to get a driving licence unless you answer yes or no to the question of whether you wish to be included on the Organ Donor Registry. You might not think this is such a big deal: if you're joining a section of the population that does much to create both organ donors and the need for them, it's an elementary civic duty to make your mind up on the subject.

Children's eating disorder figures cause alarm

More than 2,000 young people treated by NHS hospitals in past three years, with 98 aged between five and seven

More than 2,000 children have received treatment for eating disorders in the past three years, according to figures reported on Monday.

Rise in number of Sussex cancer patients

The number of middle aged people in Sussex developing cancer is on the rise. About 14 women and nine men in their 40s and 50s are diagnosed every day, according to Cancer Research UK. The charity believes the increase is partly due to more people being tested for breast and prostate cancer.

This has led to an improvement in survival rates because more people are being diagnosed sooner. Lifestyle factors, such as drinking alcohol, smoking and being overweight, are also increasing the risk.

Sally Evans, 55, of Holmcroft Gardens, Findon, near Worthing, was left reeling when she was called for her first routine mammogram only to learn she had cancer.

New plans to transform care for patients with respiratory diseases in the North West

Plans to transform the care, quality of life and health outcomes for people in the North West with lung and respiratory disease were announced today by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

Lung and respiratory diseases such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) present a major problem for patients and the NHS in the North West where over one hundred and fifty thousand patients are believed to be living with the condition.