Happiness: When smiling becomes policy

Editorial: More and more politicians are adopting the infant discipline of happiness economics - but they may face painful questions

Trust gay blood donors to tell the truth about safe sex

Patrick Strudwick: The government's words on gay equality ring hollow when you look at the detail of the blood donor plans

David Cameron measuring ‘wrong type of happiness’

American 'optimism expert' who inspired prime minister fears that he got it all wrong

Experts speak out on what Andrew Lansley should change in his health bill

As the health secretary delays legislation, professionals and politicians say what they think he should do now with his plans

NHS reforms: Mutuals will give staff ‘right to provide’

Move to establish social enterprises which could be contracted to provide care likely to be seen as step towards privatisation

Surgeons to perform first UK face and hand transplant

Patients being assessed for radical double procedure as NHS watchdog warns more evidence of risks is needed

HIV tests to be offered in high-prevalence areas

London, Birmingham and Manchester among cities covered by policy to reduce stigma and spread of disease

Cost of care in old age rises to average of £50,000

Research for government inquiry finds one in five of those needing residential care face bills of more than £100,000

Safe in their hands? Margaret Drabble on the threat facing the NHS

Margaret Drabble: Our experiences of the NHS are woven into the fabric of our lives – and our fiction. It is a brilliant and beautiful construction, yet now – extraordinarily – we seem to be on the brink of losing it