Hewitt admits failure on mixed-sex wards pledge

The health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, admitted yesterday that thousands of NHS patients were being caused 'great distress' by the government's failure to honour its 1997 manifesto commitment to eliminate mixed-sex wards in England.

The NHS needs a policy rethink, not a constitution

Response: The government's approach is at odds with the core values of the health service, says Debbie Abrahams.

Blair pledges to cut waiting times to 18 weeks

The prime minister made the promise as the government's NHS reforms came under renewed attack from doctors and health unions.

Outspoken off-roader

Interview: The health minister Andy Burnham went to the frontline to glean why staff are anxious over reform. Now he is calling for an NHS constitution, an end to targets and a means to show patients how much the service saves them. By John Carvel.

Revealed: the 11 government ministers fighting NHS cuts

Solicitor-general and two of Hewitt's own team have campaigned against closures.

Blair and Hewitt defend hospital closures

The prime minister and the health secretary visited a London heart hospital facing closure today to justify controversial NHS reforms.

NHS credits would empower poorest patients, says Milburn

· Former health secretary wants 'personal budgets' · Blair ally will feed radical ideas into policy group

Forget the high concepts, this is an ideal prescription for the NHS

Polly Toynbee: Patricia Hewitt's take on community health is the kind of unheroic policy making we need - but it must get a fair chance.

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