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•Egg donation is used by a growing and diverse range of social groups•Egg donation has undergone a number of technical, regulatory and commercial changes•Changes to egg donation have created a number of policy ‘blind-spots’•Policy-making needs to keep step with technological and commercial changes

AbstractThere is a lack of focused research on the educational experience of minority ethnic nursing students in the United Kingdom. This small scale mixed–method study has shown that in one institution, South Asian students entered training at a younger age than White students but had broadly similar levels of attainment and completion. Qualitative data suggest that although South Asian and White students share many common experiences, the cultural background of South Asian students may have a considerable effect on their academic life, sometimes creating particular tensions and difficulties. Several themes are explored, including choosing nursing, negotiating marriage, responding to family obligations, relating to fellow students and accessing support. Students expressed the importance of peer group and personal tutor support to their academic success. Understanding the student experience is important and should help institutions to develop culturally sensitive support systems.

This article discusses some of the findings of a research project which was designed to examine the role of community learning disability nurses in supporting people with learning disabilities who become parents. The need for information and help with the experience of pregnancy, childbirth, becoming parents and bringing up children has been highlighted in a recently issued guide for commissioning and providing services for people with learning disabilities (NHS Executive 1998). This research, however, indicates that nurses do not feel themselves to be adequately prepared for their role in supporting parenting. Responses from a questionnaire survey of 266 practitioners revealed little coverage of key issues relating to parenting on either pre-registration or post-basic courses and suggests, therefore, that some courses may not be meeting the perceived needs of these nurses in this crucial aspect of their role. This is likely to have significant consequences for this client group and suggests that educationalists need to consider ways of including more extensive discussion of parenting in educational provision for the multiplicity of professional groups who support and care for adults with learning disabilities.

Gender differences in the take-up of computing subjects in secondary schools are examined. The findings are presented of a research project which included an investigation of the option schemes and careers guidance given to pupils in eight secondary schools. The findings indicate that schools tend not to take any form of positive action to encourage the take-up of computing subjects by female pupils, and that careers guidance personnel take the view that sex-stereotyped choices of optional subjects and careers are overwhelmingly determined by agencies other than schools.

This article discusses the findings of a research project concerning gender differences in computing in secondary schools, funded by the Equal Opportunities Commission. The research examined the organisation and teaching of computing in secondary schools, assessing the extent and nature of gender differences in participation in computing activities and examined teacher attitudes to girls and computing. The article outlines the main findings of the research and includes a series of recommendations for action by schools.

This article discusses the health problems of refugees and asylum seekers in Great Britain. It states that changes in their lifestyle after their entry to Great Britain can pressure both their physical and mental health, particularly since they are not allowed to work. Asylum seekers, many of which are highly skilled with a previously high standard of living, are forced to depend on government support, causing many of them to live below the poverty line.

BackgroundSouth Asian children are more likely than others to suffer from their asthma and be admitted to hospital. The UK Public Health Outcomes Framework focuses on partnership across locally led systems to plan and deliver health-care services in the context of broader social determinants of health. The Management and Interventions for Asthma (MIA) project aimed to embody localism by using a collaborative, participatory model to develop an intervention designed to improve asthma management in South Asian children.

The health of asylum seekers may deteriorate after entry to the UK.