How I wish that politicians would stop telling doctors how to professionally behave. While we are much vexed about the Health Bill (how can there be a “u-turn” until commissioning is fully stopped?) the Home Office have put out their review of the Prevent counter-terrorism strategy. I worry that the authors understand what doctors do, why they […]
Continue Reading →Ovarian cancer screening is ineffective and harmful
Important paper in JAMA: ovarian cancer screening using transvaginal ultrasound and serum Ca-125 testing does not reduce mortality from ovarian cancer. Worse, there “Diagnostic evaluation following a false-positive screening test result was associated with complications”. The harms of this ineffective intervention: “Of 3285 women with false-positive results, 1080 underwent surgery (32.9% for oophorectomy) as part […]
Continue Reading →Tell Panorama why the health reforms are so bad
Gerry Robinson is making a programme about the proposed reforms. Panorama have said that they want to include as many GPs as possible giving their views. I have given mine (as Scottish GP looking on with alarm and horror.) Please join me. http://tinyurl.com/66ty56p
Continue Reading →FEAST clinical trial
You can do high quality research work in rural Uganda – randomised controlled trials save lives. This video is wonderful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK9VUkL-DqU
Continue Reading →Panorama and care homes
I couldn’t watch this programme. The abuse was horrific. If you don’t know already, it was about physical and emotional abuse delivered by ‘care’ staff in a private hospital to patients with complex learning disability and mental health problems. Question Time just now is going on about private vs NHS care services. There is no […]
Continue Reading →Atos adverts tug at heartstrings
At least, they try to. New style advert in the BMJ today. Previous ads have emphasised that working for Atos, as ‘disability assessors’ for their contract with the DWP, is good for ‘work life balance‘. The newly worked ad says that “you could make the difference that gives someone on incapacity benefit a brighter future…It’s […]
Continue Reading →“we don’t drink enough water”
Advert on the BMJ website for “Hydration for Health“. It’s well worth noting that the sponsors are Danone Water. Water is a good drink, yes yes, but tapwater in a refilled bottle is far better than expensive bottled water. Also kidneys are excellent at ensuring that your fluid balance is perfect. Your body is pretty […]
Continue Reading →Twitter and me
have gone and done it. I don’t really understand it to be honest and am hardly a haiku artist. anyway it’s here and am willing to learn @mgtmccartney
Continue Reading →The British Journal of General Practice does acupuncture badly
Vested interest: I wrote to the new editor of the BJGP a few months ago asking if I could write about Atos, their disability ‘assessments’, and general practioners, but had an unenthusiastic response. I put this to one side, I hope, to discuss their shiny cover which is very yellow, and gives big font joy […]
Continue Reading →RIP, Dr Ann McPherson
Ann was one of those GPs who make you proud to share the profession. Exceptionally clever, able and committed, she was also so very generous and kind. I was (am) grateful to her many times. Deepest sympathies to her family. Rest in peace.
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