Health Update: Unsuitable surgeries

MINOR surgery at the local GP practice may be an attractive alternative to spending a day in hospital, but a new study warns that some surgeries leave a lot to be desired. Researchers from North London University looked at inspection arrangements and standards in 13 family health service authorities. They found that only three had required GPs to follow infection-control procedures. In one surgery there was no hand basin in the room where the operations were performed, says a report in the Health Service Journal.

Leukaemia booklet A NEW booklet has been produced by the British Association of Cancer United Patients (Bacup) for people suffering from chronic myeloid leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells. The booklet provides easy to understand information about the disease, its treatment and its psychological impact. Send an A5 sae to 'CML Booklet', Bacup, 3 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JR.