Just before I completed my training as a GP the 2012 Health and Social Care Act was passed. I had a sinking feeling that general practice wasn’t quite going to […]
NHS
Ferelith Gaze: The NHS is a duty to uphold, not just a function to devolve
The government is heralding the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill—currently making its way through parliament, with broad cross party support for its intentions—as reversing 150 years of centralisation. The […]
Michael Devlin: Duty of candour—make apologising easy
Seven months ago a statutory duty of candour was introduced for hospitals in England, and four months later it was extended to all healthcare bodies registered with CQC. Are we […]
Andrew Moscrop: Would it be a good idea to charge for missed appointments at the doctors surgery?
The studio audience of BBC Question Time applauded and health secretary Jeremy Hunt appeared to wriggle with delight when a member of the public asked whether patients should be charged […]
Tom Moberly: Showing patients what they are worth
Printing the cost of drugs on their packaging is one of Jeremy Hunt’s latest ideas for helping the health service save money. Arguing that patients need to use NHS resources […]
Samir Dawlatly: When is a deal not a deal?
One of the questions I was taught to ask as a GP trainee when someone came to see me with symptoms that had been ongoing for a while was, “Why […]
Juliet Dobson: Cutting support services for new mothers is a false economy
I was sad to hear that support services for new mothers are going to be cut across England. The Guardian reports that breastfeeding classes, home visits from midwives, and “babyfeeding […]
Martin Marshall: The travesty of the 10 minute consultation
“Perfunctory work by perfunctory men.” That’s how an eminent physician once described general practice. “A ridiculous claim” cried GPs, rising to the defence of their discipline, “specialists just don’t understand […]
Barbara Harpham: CCGs are not adopting new technologies quickly enough
In December 2011, the NHS identified six ways technology could help patients and, ultimately, save money. A freedom of information request was sent to 211 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) across […]
David Eedy: What lessons can be learned from the collapse of dermatology services in Nottingham?
The independent investigation into the near collapse of the acute and paediatric dermatology service in Nottingham has called the process an “unmitigated disaster.” This collapse was foreseeable and avoidable, and […]