Mental health charity, YoungMinds launched has four pledges for politicians to take urgent action on to in the run up to the general election to improve mental health services for young people.

Cambridge scientists, funded by the Alzheimer's Research Trust, have developed a test to help diagnose early dementia that is faster and more accurate than current tests.

Two out of three people with dementia never receive a diagnosis. For those that do, it takes an average of three years from first noticing symptoms to receive a diagnosis; for some it takes more than ten years. As a consequence, many people with dementia fail to receive early and appropriate care and support.

By Neil Hunt, Chief Executive, Alzheimer’s Society
Dementia is one of the biggest health and social care challenges facing the country: in less than 20 years there will over a million people living with a form of dementia. One in three of us, if we live to 65, will die with the condition. But in many communities dementia care remains in the dark ages.

By Norma Beavers
NHS Rotherham has launched a consultation programme to gather opinion on how best to improve mental health services in the region. A series of "Ask us / Have Your Say" sessions are underway until 24 November

The “Beyond Combat” conference is being organised by Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust and Hull Teaching PCT. Planned for 27 November at the KC Stadium in Hull, the conference is targeted at health professionals whose work brings them into contact with ex-military personnel. For more details log onto: www.humber.nhs.uk/htss.

Health managers in Derbyshire are preparing for a massive escalation in the number of people affected by dementia. A 50 percent increase in the number of cases is predicted by the year 2025 as the population there ages.

Manchester PCT is working with partner mental health commissioners to offer people who suffer depression or anxiety a chance to recover by attending computerised therapy sessions at a caf�. The PCT has commissioned Self-Help Services, part of the Big Life Charity, to provide �Beating the Blues�, a computerised cognitive behaviour therapy programme approved by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)

Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT has approved plans to improve mental health services for older people in the region. The plans will see services transferring to purpose-built facilities at Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft in a move away from bed-based services.

By Norma Beavers

Doctors� leaders are calling for tougher government action to halt �the epidemic of alcohol misuse� that has hit all sectors of the health service. While Alistair Darling ,the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has increased the tax on alcohol much more remains to be done, said Dr Vivienne Nathanson, BMA Head of Science and Ethics. In his first budget Mr Darling said alcohol tax will go up by six per cent above inflation followed by two per cent above inflation for the next four years. This should boost Treasury coffers by �635m annually by 2010.