Health issues covered in this report include;

Progress on 2001 recommendations;

The dangers of second-hand smoke (including recommendations on banning smoking in public places);

A study on West Nile virus including the risk of it spreading to England and need for surveillance and contingency plans;

Curbing England's obesity epidemic;

Patient safety in intrathecal chemotherapy treatment;

And tackling poor clinical practice by providing support and dealing more effectively with problem doctors.

Also included is a regional focus on some local problems, trends and initiatives across England.

Consists of Sir Liam's chapter entitled Doctors with Problems in a Hospital Workforce, in which he discusses how to deal with doctors whose competence or behaviour is a cause for concern.

Chapter featured on pages 99 to 109.

Consists of notes and papers relating to Sir Liam's speech on National Health Service Disciplinary Procedures as given at the Medico-Legal Conference on Accidents and Negligence in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology.

This report was written in conjunction with Sir Liam's Report of a Census of Organs and Tissues Retained by Pathology Services in England and in response to public criticism at the unauthorised retention of children's tissue and organs at certain hospitals.

It drew together problems and concerns with the current system and made recommendations for change to ensure greater respect and compassion for the deceased and bereaved, clearer information on the medical purpose of such retention and greater participation in decisions by families, while preserving the need to continue the practice more appropriately for research and training needs.

Legislative reform was also recommended to require clear consent from families for retention and the need for an independent commission to be established to return organs and tissues to families where requested.