People in our wee country are the happiest. Unexpected, perhaps, given the long history of violence and social unrest. But, people can be happy in the most difficult circumstances and happiness isn’t always related to the social or material environment. Almost impossible to define, we often only recognise true happiness when its gone. So, it’s […]
Category: Editors at large
Harriet Vickers: David Hockney’s crusade against tobacco regulation
David Hockney’s one-man crusade against tobacco regulation has struck again. Fresh off the back of critical acclaim for his use of an iPad to capture the Yorkshire landscape, he’s used his new artistic tool to create an image protesting against the “anti-smoking fanatics,” and the Guardian have put it on their home page. […]
Domhnall MacAuley:The “Hole in the wall”
From le paradoxe français to a tiny tavern off a narrow alley in Kilkenny. An unlikely journey. But not, perhaps, if the barman is a cardiologist. Red wine has much more than cardiovascular benefits and it was such a pleasure to enjoy a glass with friends in the company of Michael Conway, with jaunty hat […]
Juliet Dobson: Freedom of the press v privacy rights. Is it time for parliament to draw the line?
The seventh UCL/Bindmans Debate on 8 February tackled the question of press privacy. Should parliament regulate the press? One side of the argument is that freedom of expression is too important to be regulated. But on the other hand, is the press now too immoral to regulate itself? Tessa Jowell, Labour MP and shadow minister […]
Annabel Ferriman: Will Cameron face warfare in the new Jerusalem?
Poor Mr Cameron. Up till now, he must have thought that if only the Health and Social Care Bill survives the House of Lords and its return to the Commons, everything will be all right. Then, when it gets the Royal Assent, the sceptics will see the light, hail Andrew Lansley as the new Bevan, […]
Helen Macdonald: Dunce hat until April
Out with pacey surgical ward rounds; pain controlled, E+D, BO, OE – alert, obs stable, neurovascularly in tact, plan – drain out, fluids down, OT/PT, home when safe, OP 6/52. Out with debates about thromboprophylaxis, clotting and bleeding. Out with preadmission clinics. Out with being the crash team leader – I’ll not be sad to […]
Domhnall MacAuley: Stress, morale, and compassion fatigue
Another part time middle aged GP. Another almost apologetic explanation. Another slightly embarrassed colleague. Why is it that so many GPs in their prime seem to be going part time, retiring, or changing direction? This was a generation who selected general practice as their first choice career. They aspired, not to a specialist training, but […]
Peter Lapsley: I know my place
Hraztan Jebejian is an Armenian doctor, and a very good one. He studied hard, keeps his CPD up-to-date, ensuring that he is fully abreast of developments in his speciality, is utterly reliable, and much in demand. He works very hard and makes a good living. […]
Domhnall MacAuley: Are you a sports and exercise medicine award winner?
Olympic medals may be presented to individuals—but no one achieves greatness alone. Behind every great sporting success is a team of coaches and support staff that includes doctors, physiotherapists, nutritionists, psychologists, and a range of other experts. […]
Deborah Cohen: “Poisonous” hip implants
“Poisonous hip implants ‘putting thousands of British patients at risk’ as medical watchdog launches investigation,” a Daily Mail headline announced today. It followed on from a front page splash in the Sunday Telegraph which claimed that “metal-on-metal” hip devices are “even more dangerous than previously thought.” This isn’t a new story—but finally people are waking up […]