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Health minister Lord Ara Darzi appeared on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs last weekend. His luxury item was a pen and paper and his favourite book was Yes Minister, while a diverse playlist ranged from choral music to rock.

NHS chief rejects petition
NHS chief executive David Nicholson told the NHS Confederation conference in Manchester last week that he had an 'altercation' over his refusal to sign a petition against Darzi health centres, while registering with a practice in North Yorkshire.

MI treatment boost
More than one MI patient in five receives primary angioplasty instead of thrombolytic drugs, according to a national audit. Figures for 2007/8 represent a 42 per cent increase for England and a 20 per cent increase for Wales from 2006/7.

UK vaccine option condemned
Charities have condemned the DoH after it opted for an HPV vaccine that does not protect against genital warts. The UK will use Cervarix, not Gardasil, a vaccine that offers broader protection.