Welcome to the BMJ’s industrial action live blog. Today doctors across the UK will be taking industrial action for the first time in nearly 40 years to protest against changes […]
Latest articles
Julian Sheather: Autonomy and the anorexic patient
There was extensive media comment this weekend about the Court of Protection’s decision to authorise the force-feeding of a seriously anorexic former medical student with a critically low BMI. The […]
Birte Twisselmann: Last words
For me, one of the best things about working at the BMJ is the fact that my job has kept evolving over the years. In September 2011 I took over […]
Julian Sheather: Autonomy and the right to refuse life-sustaining treatment
The recent case of a young Jehovah’s Witness in a sickle cell crisis refusing essential blood products and being allowed to die confirms what should by now be widely known: […]
Aser Garcia Rada: Undocumented migrants and access to healthcare
A recent Spanish law limiting access to healthcare for undocumented migrants is causing a controversy. From 1 September 2012 they will have access only to emergency, maternity, and child care. […]
Do we now need a public health media centre?
The effectiveness of the public health workforce hinges on its ability to effectively communicate its key messages to the public. As the Department of Health undertakes yet another consultation on […]
Richard Lehman’s journal review – 18 June 2012
JAMA 13 June 2012 Vol 307 2383 It is surprising how long and valuable a period people can survive for with malignant pleural effusion. I worked beside such a person […]
NHS pension strike—we are preparing to make a stand
We are planning to take industrial action at our GP surgery. We’re unanimous about the blatant inequity being thrust down our throats by Mr Lansley and the anger we feel […]
Tewodros Melesse: Sex and the Rio20 summit
When world leaders gather in Rio this month they will be hammering out a new set of goals to measure sustainable development. This time it’s the SDGs (sustainable development goals)—goals […]
Domhnall MacAuley: Research of doubtful relevance
What happened? Remember your first days at medical school —wide eyed optimism and how you were going to change the world, save lives, cure disease, help the sick, make a […]