In 2011 research physician Tristan Barber responded to an editor’s choice on conflicts of interest, saying: “Reading the current BMJ and noting several letters regarding conflicts of interest, it was particularly distracting to have the front cover being a fold-out advertisement for a pharmaceutical product. “As a consequence I was very aware of all of […]
David Lock: Government creates bedblocking headache for CCGs on the day CCGs are created
The fact that 1 April is “April Fool’s day” ought to be enough to warn governments of all shades that it is a bad day to make major changes to government services, but that is the day that the latest batch of NHS reforms comes into play. It is the day that CCGs will take […]
Aser Garcia Rada: Protests against the privatisation of healthcare in Spain
On 17 February thousands of people demonstrated in Madrid, and in 15 other Spanish cities, against the growing privatisation of public healthcare. Although ongoing cuts have caused protests in many regions it was the first time a nationwide “white tide” demonstration—referring to protester’s white coats—has taken place. The large protest began in Madrid after a […]
Richard Smith: I was a flop
I give a lot of talks, probably far too many. Sometimes they go well. Sometimes they are awful. A recent talk I gave was a flop. I failed to deliver what the audience wanted, and I was exposed as a fake. The event was at Madingley Hall, Cambridge University’s sub-Downton Abbey conference centre. I was […]
Felix Greaves: New beginnings, and new risks in English public health
Ah, spring time. A time of new beginnings. Daffodils sprouting through the snow. And like hesitant young lambs, looking around at their unpleasantly cold surroundings, the new structures responsible for England’s public health will pop into being this chilly bank holiday weekend. After a marathon of consultations, delays, and clarifications, public health will complete its […]
Kim Wolff: Drug driving limits
I am grateful to Jeremy Sare for his blog and the interest shown in the work of the expert panel on drug driving limits, but feel it is important to address some inaccuracies in his comments. The panel was required to consider drugs listed in the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) and to make recommendations […]
Tessa Richards: Stop pushing propaganda to patients
There is something to be said for wearing your heart on your sleeve, and few do it to greater effect than Margaret McCartney, a GP in Glasgow. She exuded frustration as she galvanised a session on public and patient involvement at the Evidence Live conference, in which she explained why she had reached the point […]
Domhnall MacAuley: Evidence Live day two
Gathering evidence is clear straightforward science. Right? Not if you believe the speakers at “Evidence Live.” Today’s presentations were a challenge to believers. Fraud, misconduct, non disclosure of data, and conflict of interest were just part of the problem. Peter Wilmshurst (University Hospital of North Staffordshire) whose dedication to the truth in the face of […]
Helen Jaques: Exposing junior doctors’ working hours
Back when Christian Jessen of Embarrassing Bodies fame was training as a junior doctor, he regularly worked dangerously long hours. But then in August 2009 the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) was introduced to limit the working hours of doctors to 48 hours a week. Problem solved. But of course nothing is ever that simple, […]
Richard Smith: Should the NHS be scrapped?
I’ve just been listening to a report on the radio about people with learning disorders dying 20 years prematurely because the NHS doesn’t treat them adequately. The Care Quality Commission says that a fifth of hospitals don’t provide dignified care for elderly people. A London professor said at the weekend that 20 000 people may […]