Swine flu drug treatment will replace containment strategy

Focus will shift from limiting spread of localised virus, to mitigating effects of widespread virus, says health secretary

WHO declares swine flu pandemic

• H1N1 virus becomes world's first pandemic in 41 years• 848 cases in Britain and more than 27,000 worldwide

North-south divide on alcohol abuse evident in hospital admissions

Liverpool ranks highest in rate of alcohol abuse while the Isle of Wight has lowest numbers connected to excessive consumption

Back pain guidelines touch a raw nerve

Edzard Ernst: Nice's recommendation of chiropractors for back pain overestimates the benefits and underestimates the risks

Painful advice on giving birth

Ros Taylor: The NCT taught my husband to rub my back, but risks making many women feel a failure for not doing 'natural' childbirth

Back pain sufferers to be offered acupuncture treatment on the NHS

Medical watchdog urges more alternative therapies for condition that costs UK an estimated £5.1bn annually

NHS accused of wasting £3m

Value of private clinics used to reduce waiting times called into question after Scottish centre paid for non-treatment

24% of adults ‘risking health through alcohol’

New NHS figures show rise in people admitted to hospital with alcohol-related injuries or conditions, and increase in deaths linked to drinking

Ineffective epilepsy care costs too much

The NHS is squandering £189m a year on ineffective epilepsy services. Anna Bawden reports

A pledge of allegiance to the NHS

DD Guttenplan: A US ad campaign describes the perils of 'government-run healthcare in Britain', but I thank my lucky stars for the NHS