The clinical data collected by hospitals in England is almost completely useless. So says Tim Kelsey, the recently appointed National Director for Patients and Information. It’s so bad, he believes, […]
Latest articles
Richard Lehman’s journal review—29 October 2012
JAMA 24-31 Oct 2012 Vol 308 1660 Medicine is full of surprises, but sometimes things are just the way you thought they were. Back in 1973, I was taught that […]
Andrew Moscrop: Medicine in the magazine of new writing
Medicine was the theme of this summer’s issue of Granta, the magazine of new writing. A gift for anyone with an interest in narrative medicine. “What does that even mean, […]
Desmond O’Neill: You don’t make peace with your friends
It is not often that I find myself quoting Moshe Dyan, but his aperçu that you don’t make peace with your friends has gained wide currency. In medical terms this […]
Kieran Walsh: Am I getting value for money out of my medical school tuition fees?
In the nineteenth century there were few standards in medical education. Students would often do an apprenticeship with a general practitioner and gradually gain experience in the trade. They had […]
Helen Jaques: Expect fireworks over the new GP contract
As a seasoned hack, it’s not often that I’m shocked by medical workforce news. The pensions ballot and industrial action by doctors earlier this year was one point—I genuinely didn’t […]
Domhnall MacAuley on the school of primary care research 2012 showcase
What a great day, what a success story. Having worked with Richard Hobbs, director of the School of Primary Care Research, on the original primary care research capacity building initiative […]
Richard Smith: At last, a consumer led NHS?
The two driving principles of the new NHS Commissioning Board are transparency and participation. If they are applied radically then they can transform the NHS, said Tim Kelsey, National Director […]
Isobel Weinberg: Doctors, Dissection, and Resurrection Men
I’m glad I learnt anatomy via the declining art of full body dissection. I’ll be dining out on the stories for years. It’s one of the first things that people […]
Rhys Davies: Take two and call me in the mourning
My mother is widely regarded in many circles as something of a medical expert. What she lacks in actual knowledge is made up for by unbridled confidence. For one thing, […]