The BMA’s annual representative meeting can often feel a bit like Groundhog Day. The chairman kicks off events with some combative rhetoric about the government, the usual suspects speak in turn about concerns over NHS privatisation, and things get a little bit heated during the ethics section as rival groups exchange blows over topics such as assisted suicide and abortion. Give or take, it was ever thus. more…

391 cases of H1N1 were confirmed in the UK yesterday bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 6929. In Argentina, the state of Buenos Aires has declared a health emergency, with schools closing for their winter breaks early - the city’s mayor has called for families not to “treat this as extra holidays for the kids” and more of a “time for the children to stay at home as much as possible”. Meanwhile Australia now has 4568 confirmed  cases (198 more yesterday) and 9 deaths. more…