A new drive has been launched to recruit more NHS staff from underprivileged backgrounds. There will be nine schemes around the country aiming to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds become doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.Research shows that 74% of the medical school population come from the highest three social classes, although just 38% of the working age population is from this background. Asian ethnic groups are under-represented in applicants to nursing courses, and there is evidence that black and ethnic minority applicants have difficulty in securing course places. The project is part of AimHigher which is a joint initiative involving the Department for Education and Skills, HEFCE and the Learning and Skills Council, to widen participation in higher education and increase the number of people who have the ability and aspirations to benefit from it.

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Public bodies in England’s three northern regions are doing little to prepare themselves for Elected Regional Assemblies. The result is that regional policy is being driven by insiders and the concerns of many, that regional assemblies will suck up powers from the local level could become a self fulfilling prophecy. This is the stark warning from the independent think-tank, the New Local Government Network.A referendum on an elected regional assembly for the North East will be held 4 November 2004. Referendums in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber are being rescheduled following concerns expressed about postal voting in these areas.

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By Cynthia D. McCauley and Ellen Van Velsor (Editors)This second edition of The Center for Creative Leadership Handbook of Leadership Development brings together the wealth of practical knowledge that the centre has gained from wide experience. It explores the essence of leadership development, reveals how individuals can effectively enhance their leadership skills, and demonstrates what organizations can do to help build leaders and leadership capacity. The book also includes a companion CD-ROM that contains a library of classic publications for practicing leaders.

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