A hospital apologised yesterday after a patient overheard medical staff calling him a fat f*** when he went for a scan.

By Emma Brady Good Hope Hospital became the first in the country to be run by a private company in 2003, when the Government awarded health firm Secta a three-year franchise worth pounds 1.3 million.

THE Sutton Coldfield - based Prostate Cancer Support Group will be holding its next meeting on Wednesday at Good Hope Hospital. The meeting will be inside the Education Centre of the hospital, based at Rectory Road, Sutton Coldfield, from 2.30pm. More information is available on 0121 686 6491.

By Emma Brady In 2006 Good Hope Hospital was a debtridden trust facing a "worst case scenario" deficit of pounds 47.5 million. But a partnership deal brokered by a neighbouring trust helped turn it round.

By Emma Brady Junior doctors in the West Midlands will be able to hone their skills at a new multi-million simulation centre courtesy of a former patient's legacy.