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 Olympics are a chance to transform the nation’s lifestyle

Jackie Ashley: Worries about cost and diverted funds shouldn't obscure London 2012's potential impact on our fitness and obesity crisis.

Plans for clamp on teenage smoking

Ministers consider ban on packs of 10.

UN calls for male circumcision to fight Aids

The United Nations has urged all countries with Aids epidemics to launch mass male circumcision programmes to protect against the spread of HIV. Sarah Boseley reports

Woman loses final embryos appeal

Natallie Evans, left infertile after cancer treatment, loses last legal chance to use her frozen embryos after court ruling.

Hospices get £40m, but say they still need more

Charities running hospices for people with a terminal illness allocated government grants to improve premises, but ministers make no promise of any extra contribution towards running costs.

Mentally ill deserve more than cynicism

Leader: By implying, as it does with the Mental Health Bill, that mental illness is more a matter of public safety than of public health the government is wrong-headed.

What women want

Leader: Without national standards of maternity care, it is impossible to pledge choice.

Many staff would not want to be patients in own hospitals

· NHS survey underlines concern over hygiene · High levels of violence remain worry for workers

OurChemist

Our Chemist – Health