Stepping in dog poo isn’t what Aneurin Bevan had in mind when he established the NHS but that’s exactly the “emergency” that a North West woman expected her local A&E department to tackle.

It’s just one of a catalogue of misuses revealed in Click Manchester. Dr Mike Cheshire, medical director at NHS North West is reported as saying: “Something needs to be done quickly about the growing number of preventable emergency services abuses.”

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They should never have been banned. The misinformation about the danger of interference has only served to reinforce growing mistrust with authority. It great therefore to see the ban removed – in Wales at least.

According to the BBC: “Health Minister Edwina Hart is to say that hospitals’ bedside phone contracts with private suppliers should not be renewed when they come to an end.

The promotion of mobile phones and fixed lines in designated NHS areas fulfils a commitment of the coalition government’s One Wales agreement.”

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A statement from Ms Hart’s office said health boards would determine the exact arrangements but that they would also aim to minimise potential noise and disruption for other patients by people using mobile phones.

The BBC reports the appointment of an interim head at NHS Suffolk following the resignation of its chief executive.

Dr Paul Watson is quoted as saying “It is an immense privilege to be taking on this role.

“The enthusiasm of staff – and what they have achieved by working together for the people of Suffolk – has impressed me hugely.

“I’ll be working with colleagues to focus on further improvements to local NHS services while driving forward the changes which will put GPs and patients at the forefront of decision making.”

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The Northen Echo reports on the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s visit to to the North East.

“Mr Lansley visited the North-East Ambulance Service headquarters, in Newcastle, to launch the NHS 111 telephone service for callers who need non-emergency health care.

“A national first – and only available in County Durham and Darlington at the moment – the service is expected to be rolled out nationally if it is a success.”

In his report, Barry Nelson goes on to describe the concern over NHS cuts in the region and particularly about the publication of a report by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) which shows the scale of the cuts.

“The study, based on information obtained from every hospital and primary care trust in the Northern region – which includes the North- East and Cumbria – suggests that the £800m due to be cut in the next four years will result in 1,750 fewer health care workers and 403 fewer beds.”

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This is Local London reports the appointment of a nes non-executive director at St ablans City Hospital. The health trust in charge of St Albans City Hospital has appointed a new non-executive director.

Chris Green was chief executive of Virgin trains until 2004 and a non-executive chairman in 2004/05.

He has also been an advisor to the House of Commons Select Committee, a trustee with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in Liverpool, and is currently vice-chairman of Herts Visual Arts Forum.

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