Sobering increase in Britons dying for a drink

· Scots lead western Europe for cirrhosis deaths · Government 'turning a determined blind eye'

Full text of David Cameron’s speech on the NHS

Speech delivered today by the Conservative party leader to the King's Fund.

Hewitt denies blame after trust scraps heart op that cured Blair

· Health secretary says cost was higher than average · Specialists accuse health department of price error

Patients now have wider choice of hospital

· Hewitt says reform will drive NHS improvement · Unpopular hospitals will go bust, critics claim

Inequality, overcrowding and poor health: overseas aid agency sets sights on East End

· International medical charity to open its first clinic in Britain · Fears raised that Médecins du Monde will detract from work already being done

Partial smoking ban unfair and unworkable, say senior MPs

A group of senior MPs has dismissed the government's plans for a partial smoking ban in public places as 'unfair, unjust, inefficient and unworkable'.

Cover-up charge over ‘cancer-risk’ milk

Food watchdog chief tells of pressure from government.