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At the beginning of 2000 several clinics in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, both in England, saw an increase in new cases of infectious syphilis. This cluster of cases was unusual in that unlike other clusters reported in Great Britain it involved transmission of syphilis locally by heterosexual sex among predominantly white middle aged individuals, some of whom had met their sexual contacts through Internet chat rooms. This cluster of cases was reported initially in the journal "Communicable Diseases Review." At least two other papers have been submitted for publication on this cluster. There are a number of lessons that can be learnt from the experience in Cambridgeshire.

The article analyses British Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's privatisation plans for National Health Service (NHS). In a white paper presented by Lansley on July 12, 2001, the health secrerary noted that any willing healthcare provider will be allowed to deliver services to NHS patients as long as they provide high quality standards of care. Information is presented on the failure of Hinchingbrooke, a 369 bed complex in Cambridgeshire, England, which could be the first to be privatised under the initiative.