The debate about whether homeopathy should be available on the NHS invariably sees the opposing sides citing numerous research papers in support of their argument. Both sides will claim their evidence to be the most reliable, while condemning that of their opponents as seriously flawed. I’m sure for many people this resembles two crusty old […]
Recently, I went to a large NHS teaching hospital in London for a blood test. A young couple was behind me in the queue. He was wearing a suit. She was completely covered. When I was finished and it was their turn, he started getting agitated and spoke loudly at the young MAN who was due to take blood from […]
A&E wards can be frightening, stressful and downright unpleasant place to visit. They often seem close to bursting point with patients who range from car crash victims to the walking wounded, crying children to drunken adults. But these wards can be equally traumatic for the staff – who must not only deal with life and […]
Read More… from Accident and Emergency Diary: Saturday Night Shift
My heart sank when Health minister Jeremy Hunt announced that league tables for surgeons would be published back in 2014. As a consultant surgeon at one of the UK’s leading teaching hospitals, I knew that he meant well but, as I expected, the new league tables have damaged patient confidence, undermined surgeons’ morale and mislead […]
Read More… from Lies, damned lies and surgical league tables
Healthcare is dominated by women. In the NHS 52 per cent of GPs are female, 85 per cent of nursing directors are female, and 54 per cent of doctors-in-training are female. Despite this, healthtech is distinctly lacking in the female touch. This may not come as a surprise in light of the well-recognised, though poorly […]
Read More… from Why More Women Should Consider Doctor-preneurship
I am a GP at a busy NHS practice in Greater London. During a busy day, I see around 40 patients for five to ten minutes each. People come in and see me with problems ranging from ear ache to high blood pressure and fertility problems. I love my job but it is inevitable that the […]
Since 2010, when the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee published a report saying that homeopathic remedies were no better than placebos, the homeopathic profession has had to face increasing criticism and hostility. Despite only four of 15 members of the committee bothering to vote, one of whom voted against the report’s findings, and the government rejecting the report, […]
If people see a dentist once a year, visit a hygienist three or four times a year, have a healthy diet without too much sugar, and take responsibility for their own oral health, they should keep their teeth for life. 80 per cent of the patients that come to my practice only need an annual […]
Read More… from Why is the UK a Third World when it comes to Dentistry?
There is no doubt the medical world is constantly changing, and the use of technology is both increasing, and helping a beleaguered national health service. But it is important to remember that the heart of the NHS is care of patients, and the new innovations are not necessarily a benefit for everyone. Telemedicine is an […]
Read More… from The downfalls of telehealth for the vulnerable elderly