The 1920s and 1930s was an era of social and political revolution, and a switch of attitude on public health was indicative of the changing approach to public policy. The Wellcome Collection currently has an exhibition of cinematic work released by Bermondsey Borough Council’s public health department, which showcases the changed ideology on health provision in the 1920s. The borough created a number of short, silent, and informative films, screened for free in the open air on streets and other public domains, in an attempt to improve the health and wellbeing of the voting population. more…

The consultation document published today by the Commission on Dignity in Care for Older People has powerful messages about the role of hospital doctors and the training of doctors and medical students.

The commission, a joint enterprise by the NHS Confederation, Age UK and Local Government Association, was established in the wake of investigations by Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Ann Abraham into shocking failures in the care of older people. (I should declare an interest – I wrote the commission’s report.) It moves on from the increasingly frequent exposure of such failures by identifying the underlying causes for poor care of older people in hospitals and care homes and recommending reforms. It calls for “fundamental changes to culture, leadership, management, staff development, clinical practice and service delivery.” more…

David Hockney’s one-man crusade against tobacco regulation has struck again. Fresh off the back of critical acclaim for his use of an iPad to capture the Yorkshire landscape, he’s used his new artistic tool to create an image protesting against the “anti-smoking fanatics,” and the Guardian have put it on their home page. more…