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Menopause-related forgetfulness, school start dates for premature infants and why Labour is already having to defend its new health spokesperson

The Independent has claimed that the Labour Party’s new shadow health minister has been ‘forced’ to renounce her support for homeopathy, just weeks after beginning her new role. MP Luciana Berger replaced Diane Abbott in Ed Miliband’s reshuffle last week.

The newspaper claims she has previously signed parliamentary motions submitted for debate that supported the funding of homeopathic remedies on the NHS. But a Labour Party spokesman yesterday said: ‘Luciana fully supports the scientific evidence on the use of homeopathy. These old petitions will have no impact on her work as a shadow health minister.’

Babies born prematurely should have their school entry date determined by their due date, not their actual date of birth, the Telegraph reports this morning. The newspaper says the suggestion - from the former Children’s Commissioner - after a study from researchers at the University of Bristol found pre-term babies were more likely to go on to underperform at school.

Professor Al Aynsley-Green said: ‘Education experts must look at these data and argue for a change in policy so that the school entry age for children born prematurely is based on their expected due date rather than their premature date of birth.’

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail has uncovered evidence that the menopause can make women forgetful. The newspaper says as many as four in ten women could be affected, and many find it ‘increasingly difficult to do their jobs or go about daily routines’. They have illustrated it with a lovely picture of a woman fanning herself, worth a look if you are interested.