The week in healthcare

Ramarketing has recruited Northumbria University PR graduate Jodie Balmer to assist with the agency's expanding client base. She joins the team after several client wins including global contract Laboratory Edwards Analytical, national assistive technology provider e-Quality Learning and Dolphin Stairlifts North.

The Healthcare Communications Agency, chaired by Cherry Wood, will be holding a forum entitled 'Where's the next generation of health comms leaders?' to discuss issues such as retaining talent in the healthcare sector and how to become a leader. It will be held on 3 December in London.

NHS Mandate, which sets out the Government's expectations of the health service to the NHS Commissioning Board, has been published. It is structured around five areas that include preventing people from dying prematurely and enhancing quality of life for people with long-term conditions.

Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Eli Lilly have joined forces to launch a database of global clinical trial sites in the US. The firms' goal is to streamline paperwork and speed up testing of new drugs.