Some patients with neuromuscular diseases may die more than a decade too soon because specialist services are too far away, a report says. It found people with muscular dystrophy in north east England - close to a centre of excellence - live an average of 30 years after diagnosis. However, in the south west the average was just 18 years.
Sweeping changes are needed to specialist inpatient health services for people with learning difficulties in England, warns the NHS watchdog. The Healthcare Commission audit found poor standards in most services and big regional variations. It referred six services for further investigation.
Responding to ombudsman reports released today that find two councils have failed in their legal duties to provide care and assistance to disabled people, Liz Sayce, Chief Executive of RADAR, said "These cases show that budget cuts in social services are becoming human rights abuses - and these cases are not isolated incidents.
Sophisticated scans have revealed the eating disorder anorexia is linked to specific patterns of brain activity.
A commonly-prescribed drug for type 2 diabetics may increase the risk of brittle bone disease, say researchers. Tests on mice found that rosiglitazone (Avandia), which is used to boost the effects of insulin, could be interfering with new bone formation.
An emergency card is being issued to disabled people in Lancashire. The e-card bears the person's photograph together with their personal and medical information. PCSO James Holland is issuing the card after finding many people believed they had become victims of crime solely because of their disability.