We will have all heard the phrase “the Bolam test”—the case itself is so memorable because of its shocking facts. While new cases have added to and set precedence regarding […]
Guest writers
Will Warburton: Translating praise for the NHS into practical support for recovery
The NHS looks set to emerge from the covid-19 pandemic with its status enhanced. The public have “clapped for carers,” displayed NHS rainbows in their windows, and every adult will […]
Covid-19 lockdown, one year on: what we have learned in intensive care medicine?
As we reach the anniversary of the first national lockdown, thoughts will inevitably turn to the lives lost in the covid-19 pandemic and the immense number of families torn apart […]
One year on since lockdown began—our lives have changed but what lessons have we learned?
This time last year we headed into our first lockdown. No one could have foreseen the journey ahead of us. The effects of covid-19 have touched every aspect of our […]
Publish the protocol for the UK SARS-CoV-2 human challenge study now
Publishing protocols while a trial is being conducted rather than afterward has unique value, particularly for SARS-CoV-2 challenge studies, say Josh Morrison and Charles Weijer […]
An open plea for dignity and respect in science
Only by listening to and debating honest opposing views, can we hope to overcome the fear and anger that surrounds us, say these authors […]
The ethics of consent within social media research and AI: Exploitation of vulnerable?
The UK’s House of Lords covid-19 committee is looking into how the rapidly increasing reliance on digital technology—accelerated by the pandemic—may have a long-term impact on our social and economic […]
Psychological PPE: do we need to start fit testing earlier in medical training?
As we exit another covid-19 peak and start to ease out of a third UK lockdown, concerns are being raised about the resilience of the medical workforce and ability of […]
Institutional inoculation: protecting society from pandemics and politicians
Two million covid-19 deaths have brought the violence of unequal societies squarely into public discussion—“social murder” as Kamran Abbasi has argued in The BMJ.1 What recourse do we have, he […]
Covid-19 vaccine adverse events: balancing monitoring with confidence in vaccines
As the global covid-19 vaccine rollout continues, uncertainties regarding the association between thromboembolic events and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have dominated the news during March, leading 18 European countries to suspend […]