Health: vital signs

Cars have caused 475,000 deaths in the last century, discouraged walking, and prevented children from playing in the street.

The Road Traffic Reduction Bill has its second reading in the Commons this week and Ian Roberts, of the Institute of Child Health, says MPs tempted not to support it should consider their children's quality of life.

Elderly people are frequently shunted out of hospital with no arrangements made for their care at home. A report by the Clinical Standards Advisory Group, set up to advise the Government on aspects of care, confirms that community health services are characterised by "fragmentation and confusion."