Lots of press attention has gathered around the latest research on prostate cancer screening. To be clear: there is no NHS screening programme for prostate cancer screening. Instead, if men want a screening PSA test they can ask for it from their GP. The DoH’s press release in response to the latest research looks like this: […]
Continue Reading →Tell me the truth about Fit Notes
So the big idea was that people who were off work due to illness might be able to do some work, perhaps not their regular work, or perhaps people returning to work while recovering from illness might be better having a graduated return. Rather than simply signing people off work while ill and then back […]
Continue Reading →Sense on genetic screening from the USA
Great to see some straight talking common sense from the US. Just because you can have your genome dissected, doesn’t mean you should pay a few hundred pounds for your ‘genetic risk assessment’ as several UK and US websites currently offer. These tests may need FDA approval, says this piece from the New England Journal of […]
Continue Reading →Do charities need a health warning?
On bad statistics used by health charities, in the BMJ. Have had quite a few messages from doctors and nurses basically approving but none of dissent or otherwise from charities. hmm…
Continue Reading →The health care of detained asylum seekers
..is not being adequately met. Here’s an article just out in the BMJ about the situation. This is one situation which I do think would be helped by public pressure….
Continue Reading →Not I, Professor Field
Professor Field, outgoing chair of the college I spend a small fortune to be a member of, the Royal College of GPs, has been on the radio rather a lot today. The news is: he scribed a cross article for the Observer, saying that “…too many of us neglect our health and this is leading […]
Continue Reading →Statins: benefit (again) overstated?
Regular readers will know my ongoing concerns about statins: these drugs now make up one of the most frequently prescribed medications, and especially to well people. The benefits for people who have had a heart attack or stroke are one thing, but the potential benefit to people who are scored at being as high risk […]
Continue Reading →NICE and their astonishing view of the clinical relationship
If you are pregnant, NICE want you to given a carbon monoxide test. This test is to see if you smoke. But look at the flowchart on page 11- you are to have this test even if you say you don’t smoke, and even if you say you do. I don’t think this is conducive […]
Continue Reading →Swine flu in the UK – how reliable are the numbers?
So how exactly do we know that there are – as the Health Protection Agency says -around 55,000 new cases of H1N1 “swine” flu each week – especially now that we are no longer swabbing patients before prescribing for it? Extrapolation. The HPA does give a range, between 30,000 and 85,000 cases. There are […]
Continue Reading →One size fits all: column
Wonder drugs are rare. Applying the criteria of effectiveness, usefulness and cost, I’d put paracetamol, morphine and penicillin high on my list. The number one position, however, would go to aspirin. Not only is it good for pain relief, as an anti-inflammatory and to reduce fever, it also works as a blood-thinning agent, to decrease […]
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