Fit to drop
Healthy living centres were at the heart of Labour's plan to improve public health in the poorest areas, and they have. So why do they face an uncertain future? David Conn reports.
Patient approach
As the health secretary prepares to address the party faithful on the government's stategy for the NHS, she tells John Carvel how she is tapping into public perspectives of the service to help make it more efficient.
Privatisation will wreck NHS, say campaigners
· Hospitals may close, says letter to Guardian · Timing seems designed to foment conference revolt
Unapologetic Hewitt denies trying to privatise NHS
The health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, intends to confront her union critics at the Labour conference next week with an unapologetic defence of the government's drive to make the NHS compete with private healthcare providers.
Hewitt’s offer to private health bidders revealed in secret papers
· Contracts will allow firms to take over NHS buildings· Rules to bar poaching of staff have been eased