01 February 2012
The GMC has announced a review of the PLAB test for doctors outside Europe who wish to register to practise in the UK.
BDA expresses concern over online patient feedback
30 January 2012
NHS Choices allows serious but unsubstantiated anonymous allegations to be made about dental practitioners and is often too slow in moderating inappropriate comments, according to the BDA.
Bid to improve medical training
30 January 2012
PROPOSALS to approve trainers for postgraduate medical training from 2013 in a bid to improve standards have been put out for consultation by the General Medical Council.
Medical training should be more flexible
30 January 2012
MEDICAL training should be more flexible to allow junior doctors to switch specialties and develop skills in other disciplines.
New specialty recruitment system delayed
30 January 2012
A NATIONAL system to manage UK specialty recruitment has been delayed until 2013.
GDC issues guidance on ethical advertising
27 January 2012
DENTISTS must ensure they do not use the title "specialist" in any promotional text unless registered on one of the 13 specialist lists maintained by the GDC.
"Gagging clauses" unacceptable says GMC
26 January 2012
DOCTORS should not sign contracts with "gagging clauses" to stop them from raising concerns about poor quality care according to new guidelines from the GMC.
GMC website to support doctors referred on health grounds
20 January 2012
A NEW website for doctors who may be concerned about their own health or that of a colleague has been launched by the GMC.
Safest surgeons are aged 35 to 50
11 January 2012
SURGEONS aged between 35 and 50 provide the safest care compared with their younger or older colleagues, according to a new study.
Assisted dying “should be legalised”, report says
10 January 2012
ASSISTED suicide should be made legal for terminally ill people in England and Wales, according to a new report.
Free whistleblowing helpline launched
10 January 2012
NHS and social care staff can now raise concerns about patient care using a new whistleblowing helpline.
Pilot scheme to abolish practice boundaries
06 January 2012
A PILOT scheme to allow patients to register with a GP practice of their choice is being piloted in England.
New plans to regulate movement of EU medics
23 December 2011
PROPOSALS to tighten up the rules surrounding the movement of health workers across the European Union have been given a cautious welcome by NHS chiefs.
Dental advisers to speed up GDC case handling
22 December 2011
A PANEL of dentists through NCAS (National Clinical Assessment Service) will provide clinical advice to the GDC to help speed up the handling of complaints against dental professionals.
Organ donation guidelines from NICE
22 December 2011
NEW guidelines on identifying potential organ donors and improving consent rates have been published by NICE.
GDC surveys satisfaction levels and attitudes toward regulation
22 December 2011
A SURVEY of dental patients has found a 95 per cent satisfaction level with dental treatment among patients.
GMC provides guidance for case examiners on assisted suicide
22 December 2011
NEW guidance is being developed for GMC case examiners on dealing with cases of alleged assisted suicide.
22 December 2011
ALMOST 99 per cent of trainee doctors have been allocated to a foundation school for 2012.
New doctors “poorly prepared” in acute care
22 December 2011
NEWLY qualified doctors don’t feel prepared to look after acutely ill patients or prescribe drugs, a study has found.
Specialty trainees exceed EWTD
22 December 2011
FULL time medical specialty trainees are working an average of 49 hours a week, exceeding the 48-hour limit set out in the European Working Time Directive.
GMC cuts fees for junior doctors
22 December 2011
THE cost of training qualifications is being cut as part of a package of GMC fee reductions for doctors.
Many diabetic deaths "avoidable"
21 December 2011
UP to 24,000 people with diabetes in England are dying each year from causes that could be avoided through better management of their condition according to statistics released by the NHS Information Centre.
Targeting high-risk surgical patients
15 December 2011
NEARLY 80 per cent of UK patients dying of post-operative complications come from a small group of high-risk patients – only half of whom receive “good” peri-operative care. These findings come from the latest National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) report – Knowing the Risk.
15 December 2011
THE General Medical Council is to cut annual fees for all doctors for the first time since 1970.
Rise in complaints about private dental care
13 December 2011
COMPLAINTS about private dental care have risen by almost a quarter since 2009.
Atlas highlights variation in NHS care
13 December 2011
A REPORT highlighting variations in NHS care in England has found large differences in areas such as dementia drug prescribing rates and standards of diabetes care.
Lung cancer audit highlights importance of early detection
7 December 2011
Patients with a cough persisting over three weeks are being advised to attend their GP and ask if an X-ray is needed to rule out lung cancer.
Weekend hospital mortality rates higher
30 November 2011
A new report has found a "worrying" spike in death rates among patients admitted to hospitals in England at the weekend.
30 November 2011
HIGH-LEVEL negotiations are underway that could lead to changes to the European Working Time Directive, including the way in which on-call time is counted and rest periods are enforced.
Fewer medical students from poorer backgrounds
30 November 2011
THE number of medical students from low income brackets has dropped in the past year, a new BMA report has revealed.
Medical training survey raises serious concerns
30 November 2011
THE majority of junior doctors’ training is good but there are serious concerns that must be dealt with urgently, according to a survey by the General Medical Council.
Guidance for GPs working in prisons
29 November 2011
GPs who work in prisons can access new prescribing guidance from the RCGP.
Study examines CPD in dentistry
29 November 2011
A NEW study examining the impact of Continuing Professional Development on dentistry has been published by the General Dental Council.
New NHS equality toolkit launched
28 November 2011
A NEW toolkit has been launched to help ensure NHS patients and employees are treated fairly.
GDC appeal for registrant members
28 November 2011
DENTISTS are being invited to apply to join the General Dental Council to help shape the issues affecting the profession.
Joint agreement to tackle violence against NHS staff
17 November 2011
A joint agreement between police, prosecutors and the NHS in England will promote the strongest possible action in dealing with violence and abuse against healthcare staff.
Consultation on core GMC guidance now underway
17 November 2011
A major consultation on core standards for doctors set out in the GMC’s Good Medical Practice is now underway.
GP receptionists help safeguard patients in repeat prescribing
08 November 2011
An over-reliance on electronic health records can pose a risk in repeat prescribing but reception staff making "practical judgments" help to mitigate that risk, according to a study published in the BMJ.
04 November 2011
A recent letter from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) regarding indemnity for some of its members has been causing concern among practice managers and staff.
More doctors and dentists suspended, but for shorter periods
28 October 2011
THE number of doctors and dentists in England excluded or suspended from work has increased over the past five years, but the length of bans imposed has decreased, new figures show.
Foundation programme 2012 oversubscribed
28 October 2011
JUNIOR doctors looking for jobs in 2012 face uncertainty after it was announced the foundation programme is oversubscribed.
Deaneries will NOT be abolished, says minister
28 October 2011
POSTGRADUATE deaneries will not be abolished under the government’s health reforms despite previous proposals, health minister Andrew Lansley has said.
Part-time trainees must work half of full-time hours
28 October 2011
JUNIOR doctors in less than full time training (LTFT) must work at least half the hours worked by those in full time training, the General Medical Council has announced.
Majority against regulating doctors' lives outside medicine
27 October 2011
A survey has found that 94 per cent on the general public do not think the GMC should regulate doctors' private lives outside medicine.
Record number of GMC complaints in 2010
25 October 2011
The number of GMC complaints against doctors reached its highest level ever in 2010 along with a record number of investigations and fitness to practise hearings.
EU rules putting patients at risk
25 October 2011
Current rules which allow healthcare professionals to practise throughout the EU pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of patients according to a new Parliamentary report published this month.
Whistleblowers given new protection
19 October 2011
DOCTORS and other NHS staff who blow the whistle will be given greater protection, the health secretary Andrew Lansley has announced.
Removal from GP list a “knee-jerk response” in too many cases
18 October 2011
Last year over one in five of all complaints about GPs investigated by the Ombudsman in England were about patient removal from surgery lists, according to a report on NHS performance.
GDC acts to speed up case handling
17 October 2011
An increase in the number of decision meetings and hearings to clear a backlog of cases and an improved process to fast track the most serious ones are among a raft of changes announced by the GDC to improve the handling of complaints against dental professionals.
Dentists warned over discount deals
17 October 2011
DENTISTS who offer discounted treatment deals must not forget their responsibilities to patients, the General Dental Council has said.
No remote prescribing for Botox
11 October 2011
The GDC has issued guidance confirming that remote prescribing should not be used in the provision of non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as the prescription or administration of Botox or injectable cosmetic medicinal products.
NHS must adapt to female workforce, says RCPE
04 October 2011
THE NHS must introduce more flexible working patterns to accommodate the increasing number of female doctors, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) has said.
English language tests for foreign doctors
04 October 2011
Overseas doctors who want to practice in England will face mandatory English language tests under new rules announced today by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
Rise in GMC referrals by medical directors
29 September 2011
The number of doctors referred to the GMC by medical directors and other public bodies doubled between 2007 and 2010 suggesting that the NHS is now more willing and determined to identify and deal with poor practice among doctors
Hospital training posts should be cut in favour of GPs
29 September 2011
HOSPITAL-based specialty training posts in England should be cut to allow an increase in GP training, according to the Centre for Workforce Intelligence.
Postgrad training must be more flexible, says GMC
28 September 2011
JUNIOR doctors should be able to move between specialties more easily during training, according to a new report from the General Medical Council.
No increase in GDC retention fee
27 September 2011
Registration fees for dentists and DCPs will not rise in 2012 following a decision by the GDC.
Transparency essential in commissioning decisions
27 September 2011
New clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England will need clear and robust mechanisms for managing real and perceived conflicts of interest to avoid having the integrity of clinicians being seriously undermined, according to a new guidance document from the RCGP Centre for Commissioning and the NHS Confederation.
Agreement reached on tooth whitening
23 September 2011
A NEW agreement has been reached by the European Council that clarifies the use of tooth whitening products by dentists.
GMC proposes induction for all new registrants
16 September 2011
A mandatory induction programme has been proposed for all new doctors registering to practise in the UK.
Appeal for doctors to get flu jab
15 September 2011
DOCTORS are being urged to get the seasonal flu vaccine by the Department of Health.
15 September 2011
A step-by-step guide to help patients get the most from their GP practice has been launched by the Royal College of General Practitioners.
New advances pushing ethical bounds of clinical genetics
15 September 2011
Both ethical and medico-legal boundaries are being increasingly tested as genetic technologies lead to more and more clinical applications being employed within the NHS, according to a new report.
RCGP urges more self care in long-term conditions
08 September 2011
A new RCGP report seeks to move the focus in care for patients with long-term conditions from clinicians "doing" to "enabling".
NICE publishes quality standards for treating alcohol misuse
02 September 2011
Managing patients with alcohol dependence and harmful alcohol use is the subject of a new set of quality standards published this week by NICE.
New dental contract ‘prioritises children’s oral health’
02 September 2011
A NEW dental contract that aims to improve children’s oral health is being piloted in England.
Bowel cancer awareness still low in UK
25 August 2011
Awareness of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer are low in the UK according to research published in the journal BMC Cancer.
Female dentists on the rise in England
25 August 2011
An increasing number of female dentists are working for the NHS in England according to statistics compiled by the NHS Information Centre.
25 August 2011
A national review across the UK had been launched to understand why each year around 1,200 people of all ages die from asthma.
'Killing season' does exist, say doctors
25 August 2011
THE majority of doctors believe patient safety is put at risk when junior doctors start work in August, according to a new survey.
EWTD hits training across Europe, says GMC
25 August 2011
RULES limiting the working week to 48 hours have had a negative effect on training in countries across Europe, according to research by the General Medical Council.
25 August 2011
ALL final year medical students are being asked to join in a pilot for a new selection process for the foundation programme.
Radical change advocated in diagnosing hypertension
24 August 2011
New guidance from NICE advocates 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in patients suspected of having hypertension in part to rule out the "white coat effect".
CQC registration for GP practices set for 2013
16 August 2011
GP practices in England will have to register with the Care Quality Commission by April 2013, the Department of Health has confirmed.
GDC plans dentistry risk research
11 August 2011
THE General Dental Council is to commission research into the risks involved in UK dental practice.
Guidelines on ‘shared decision-making’ for doctors
08 August 2011
DOCTORS should take time to discuss treatment options with patients and encourage them to talk about their condition, according to a new report from the King’s Fund.
Guidance for doctors on protecting vulnerable adults
04 August 2011
DOCTORS are reminded of their duty to protect vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect in new guidance from the BMA.
Poor oral health passed down generations
28 July 2011
Mothers who suffer poor oral health are likely to have children with poor oral health in adulthood, according to results from a 27-year research project.
New toolkit to improve care after hospital discharge
27 July 2011
A NEW NHS toolkit launched this week will help NHS trusts implement an electronic 24-hour discharge summary allowing GPs, patients and carers to continue care effectively following a stay in hospital.
Low approval for revalidation plans
27 July 2011
REVALIDATION is more time-consuming and is not likely to improve patient care, according to an independent evaluation.
Significant GP time spent on minor medical problems
26 July 2011
A REPORTED 88 per cent of GPs spend up to a quarter of their time dealing with minor medical issues that do not need require to be examined by either a nurse or a GP, according to a study conducted by the insurer Aviva.
26 July 2011
A review of mandatory continuing professional development in advance of dental revalidation had been launched by the GDC.
Medical students support right to ethical objections
26 July 2011
A SURVEY of 733 medical students has found that just under half support the right of doctors to refuse to offer any procedure that conflicts with their personal, moral or religious beliefs.
GMC announces new tribunal service for doctors
26 July 2011
A NEW independent tribunal service will take over the running of doctors’ fitness to practise hearings next year, the GMC has announced.
Extend GP training to boost dementia skills
26 July 2011
GP training should be extended to include sufficient training on treating dementia, according to a report by an influential group of MPs and peers.
New NHS leadership academy announced
26 July 2011
PLANS have been unveiled for a national leadership academy to help NHS staff develop their skills as non-clinical managers.
F1 jobs withdrawn over visa issues
26 July 2011
FOUNDATION job applications from trainee doctors who do not have the right to work in the UK have been withdrawn due to visa problems.
Toolkit launched to cut handover errors
20 July 2011
A TOOLKIT designed to reduce errors during patient handovers has been launched by the Royal College of Physicians.
Support for fitness to practise reforms
27 June 2011
THE GMC is claiming broad support from doctors and patients for many of the proposals detailed in its recent consultation on fitness to practise procedures, including plans that would see doctors able to accept a sanction without going to hearing.
Row over teeth whitening resolved
27 June 2011
A COMPROMISE has been reached with trading standards officers on the use of teeth whitening products.
Concern over patients prescribed ‘high risk’ drugs
27 June 2011
THOUSANDS of patients in Scotland are being prescribed drugs with a high risk of side effects, according to new research.
GP opposition to abolishing practice boundaries
24 June 2011
ABOLISHING practice boundaries could seriously affect the safety of vulnerable patients, place rural practices at risk of closure and make home visiting very difficult, said the RCGP in a recent statement.
24 June 2011
THE prescribing reference MIMS has now launched an application for Android and iPhone.
Fewer dental referrals to NCAS sparks concern
24 June 2011
A DROP in the number of dentists being referred to the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) has prompted fears that performance concerns within the profession may be going unnoticed by local managers.
Online resource for GPs supporting carers
24 June 2011
A NEW educational programme to help GPs and primary care teams better support the growing number of people who care for others has been launched by the RCGP.
NICE urges prompt surgery for hip fractures
23 June 2011
PATIENTS with broken hips should have surgical treatment the same day or the day after hospital admission, according to new NICE guidance published last week.
Cervical screening success waning
16 June 2011
ONE in five women miss appointments for cervical screening according a survey of around 2,500 carried out by a leading cancer charity.
Call for action on antipsychotic overuse in dementia care
15 June 2011
THE Dementia Action Alliance has called for a clinical review of all UK dementia patients being administered antipsychotic drugs to ensure care is compliant with current guidelines and that alternative medications have been considered.
Dentists must maintain equipment, GDC warns
14 June 2011
DENTISTS must make sure dental equipment is properly maintained in order to comply with the law.
GPs sign up to end of life care charter
03 June 2011
GPs in England are being asked to sign up to a patient charter pledging to treat patients with dignity as they near the end of their life.
BDA concerns over patient safety in teeth whitening
03 June 2011
PATIENT safety could be put at risk by a trading standards clampdown on teeth whitening products, the British Dental Association has warned.
NICE guidance for GPs on mental health disorders
27 May 2011
NEW guidance from NICE aims to help GPs treat patients with common mental health disorders.
Juniors vote to save deaneries
27 May 2011
JUNIOR doctors have voted to fight plans to abolish deaneries – and will consider strike action to safeguard pay.
Medical students lack medico-legal confidence
27 May 2011
MEDICAL students are not confident when it comes to applying the law in medicine, according to new research.
Concerns for medical education as academic numbers drop
27 May 2011
FALLING numbers of medical academics could destabilise undergraduate medical education, a BMA committee has warned.
Call for more flexibility in exams
27 May 2011
A MORE flexible approach needs to be taken towards limits on the number of times doctors can sit postgraduate professional exams.
GP appeals charge he "pushed religion"
26 May 2011
A GP is appealing a formal warning by the GMC over charges that he discussed his Christian faith with a "vulnerable" young adult patient.
26 May 2011
The GDC is asking for feedback on its core standards for dental professionals in advance of a formal consultation.
Only dental professionals should do tooth whitening, poll says
12 May 2011
TOOTH whitening should only be carried out by dental professionals, according to a survey by the General Dental Council.
NICE topic guidance linked in new online tool
11 May 2011
A new online tool bringing together all connected NICE guidance on a particular topic has been launched this week
Missed blood clots cost NHS millions
10 May 2011
THE NHS has paid out more than £112million in compensation since 2005 because doctors have failed to diagnose venous thromboembolism, new figures have revealed.
Improved access has led to poorer quality NHS dental care
10 May 2011
ACCESS to NHS dentistry has improved but patients believe quality is poorer, according to a new survey.
GDC review of required skills and abilities
26 April 2011
The General Dental Council has a launched a review of its key Scope of Practice document and is asking for input from UK dental professionals.
Half of jobless trainees find a post
26 April 2011
MORE than half of junior doctors who weren't allocated a foundation job have now been found one.
26 April 2011
GOVERNMENT plans to abolish deaneries and overhaul medical education and training have been criticised by the BMA.
Caution urged for doctors when recording patients
20 April 2011
DOCTORS who plan to make recordings of patients have a duty to get consent first, according to updated GMC guidance.
Dentists warned over practice mailshots
15 April 2011
DENTISTS must be careful not to misuse patient information when sending out mailshots.
SIGN app for guidelines on the go
15 April 2011
Smart phone and tablet PC users can now access clinical guidelines on the move with the new free SIGN app.
Vacuum sterilisers not mandatory in dental decontamination
15 April 2011
Dentists in Scotland will not be required to use vacuum sterilisers as there is a lack of evidence on increased patient safety, the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) announced in a recent statement.
Immunity for expert witnesses removed
14 April 2011
A landmark decision delivered by the Supreme Court has effectively abolished immunity for expert witnesses against claims of negligence in providing evidence for legal proceedings.
14 April 2011
NEW guidance for healthcare professionals on end-of-life care has been published online.
GMC critical of EU rules on medical qualifications
14 April 2011
The GMC is calling for urgent checks on the medical qualifications of doctors working in different EU countries to ensure the 'single market' does not put patients at risk.
Guide to appraisal for revalidation published by GMC
08 April 2011
GUIDANCE for doctors on how to approach annual appraisals in preparation for revalidation has been published by the GMC.
Doctors can prescribe cheaper drugs under new GMC plans
07 April 2011
GPs will be given the right to prescribe cheaper off-label alternatives to licensed medicines under new GMC proposals.
Patients to get ‘insulin passports’ to avoid dose errors
07 April 2011
INSULIN therapy patients are to receive an ‘insulin passport’ in a bid to reduce dose errors.
Overseas doctors face more serious GMC action
6 April 2011
Doctors who qualified outside the UK and are referred to the GMC are more likely to be subject to "high-impact decisions" than UK-qualified doctors, according to research published by the BMJ.
Caution advised on dental treatment in pregnancy
28 March 2011
Dentists treating any pregnant patient should avoid unnecessary risks to the unborn baby.
Private schools yield quarter of medical and dental students
28 March 2011
MORE than a quarter of medical and dental students come from a tiny proportion of UK private schools, official figures show.
Ethnic minority trainees ‘underperforming’
28 March 2011
ETHNIC minority doctors and medical students who trained in the UK don’t perform as well in assessments as white candidates, according to a new study in the BMJ.
Junior doctor pay must be equal across UK
28 March 2011
FOUNDATION doctors in England and Northern Ireland should be given a pay rise to bring their salaries in line with the rest of the UK, the BMA has said.
Fresh call for changes to EWTD
28 March 2011
SENIOR medical groups have called for changes to the compensatory rest element of the European Working Time Directive and how the directive applies to on-call time.
NICE promotes increased HIV testing
25 March 2011
New NICE guidance promotes routine HIV testing to help reduce undiagnosed infection and prevent transmission among back African communities living in England.
Doctors as managers – new GMC consultation
24 March 2011
How do doctors deliver good patient care in a time of economic restraint? This is just one of the questions being asked in a GMC consultation on its updated guidance, Good Management Practice: guidance for all doctors
GP suspensions ‘twice as long’ as hospital sector
23 March 2011
GP suspensions from work last around twice as long as those in the hospital and community sector, new NCAS figures show.
GMC seeks views on new tribunal service
23 March 2011
DOCTORS are being asked their views on GMC plans to create a new tribunal service to run doctors’ hearings.
Burnout common in poor performing dentists
15 March 2011
High levels of stress and burnout as well as alcohol and drug misuse are all prevalent factors leading to poor performance among dentists according to a wide-ranging literature review published by the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS).
Doctors fearful of reporting colleagues
11 March 2011
ONE in three UK doctors not reporting underperforming colleagues avoids doing so out of fear of retribution, a survey has found.
GDC appoints new panel members to increase hearing capacity
11 March 2011
THE GDC have appointed 51 new fitness to practise panel members to help increase hearing capacity and to clear a backlog of cases.
Audit reveals surprising level of misdiagnosis in diabetes
7 March 2011
Over 4 per cent of people diagnosed with diabetes were found either to not have the disease or to have been classified with the wrong type in an audit cited in a new report by the Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS Diabetes.
Research suggests new tack in identifying childhood meningitis
2 March 2011
Red flag symptoms including neck pain or stiffness and photophobia are more indicative of childhood meningitis than headache, pallor and cool peripheries.
Non-UK doctors more likely to have professional difficulties
23 February 2011
DOCTORS who qualify outside the UK are more likely to face professional difficulties than UK medical graduates.
Risk of gaps in medical training, GMC warns
23 February 2011
GOVERNMENT plans to overhaul doctors’ training could push down standards, the GMC has warned.
Banning dentists’ courtesy ‘Dr’ title “harmful”, says BDA
23 February 2011
BANNING dentists from using the courtesy title of ‘doctor’ would cause “significant harm” to the profession, the BDA has warned.
NICE targets high-street allergy testing
23 February 2011
NEW NICE guidance on food allergies in children and young people aims to steer patients away from online and high street testing centres and into GP surgeries.
23 February 2011
HEALTH professionals are being asked "what makes a good doctor" as part of a major review by the General Medical Council.
Juniors pay freeze plans opposed
23 February 2011
PLANS to freeze NHS staff pay in England for a further two years have been rejected by unions.
Patient care threatened by immigration curb
23 February 2011
PLANS to further restrict the number of non-EU doctors working in the UK could harm patient care, the Royal College of Physicians has warned.
NICE launches web resource for general practice
22 February 2011
AN online resource has been launched to help staff in general practice access NICE evidence and guidance.
HPC to take over statutory regulation of herbal medicine
22 February 2011
A statutory register for practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine is to be established by The Health Professions Council.
Radical change proposed in diagnosis of primary hypertension
22 February 2011
Diagnosis to confirm primary hypertension should rely on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring away from the clinic to avoid so-called 'white coat' hypertension.
Patient safety alerts being ignored by some trusts
22 February 2011
NHS trusts in England are routinely failing to comply with patient safety alerts issued by the National Patient Safety Agency.
Non-UK doctors more likely to have professional difficulties
22 February 2011
DOCTORS who qualify outside the UK are more likely to face professional difficulties than UK medical graduates.
Third of Scots NHS staff abused at work
07 February 2011
One in three healthcare workers in Scotland experienced verbal or emotional abuse in the last year, according to a new survey.
Concern over depression questionnaire
7 February 2011
A questionnaire used by GPs in England to determine the severity of depression in patients could pose a threat to the clinical relationship according to a study in this month’s British Journal of General Practice (BJGP).
EWTD review could allow juniors more flexible hours
31 January 2011
SENIOR medics hope a review of the European Working Time Directive in Brussels will bring greater flexibility to junior doctors’ working hours.
31 January 2011
THE campaign to find foundation jobs for all trainee doctors has been stepped up by student leaders.
New body to control education and training
31 January 2011
A NEW independent body is to be set up to plan the NHS workforce and coordinate training and education in England.
Call for routine screening of familial hypercholesterolaemia
28 January 2011
An audit has found that an estimated 120 thousand people in England have familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) with as many as 85 per cent being currently undiagnosed.
New online guide for GPs of migrant patients
28 January 2011
A GUIDE to assessing and treating migrant patients has been launched online for GPs.
Large rise in calls as “risk-aware” doctors seek advice
20 January 2011
AN increasingly “risk-aware” culture amongst doctors contributed to a big rise in advice calls to MDDUS last year.
Call to reinstate penalty fee for missed dental appointments
20 January 2011
The British Dental Association is calling for the reinstatement of the option for dentists to charge a fee for missed appointments
Major changes planned for fitness to practise system
17 January 2011
DOCTORS could accept sanctions without a hearing under new GMC proposals to speed-up the fitness to practise system.
Revalidation plans disproportionate says BDA
12 January 2011
GDC plans for the revalidation of dentists are onerous, bureaucratic and disproportionate according to the British Dental Association.
NICE to develop 31 new quality standards
10 January 2011
NICE is to produce quality standards for 31 new clinical areas including asthma, bipolar disorder, diabetes and four different types of cancer.
Nearly 600 pregnancies despite implant
06 January 2011
ALMOST 600 women have become pregnant despite using a popular contraceptive implant, the MHRA has confirmed.
Statutory insurance or indemnity for doctors and dentists
22 December 2010
New legislation is to be introduced making it a legal requirement for all healthcare professionals to have either insurance or indemnity cover as a condition of their registration.
Juniors caring for ‘too many very ill patients’, RCP survey shows
22 December 2010
JUNIOR doctors are caring for "too many very ill patients" because of a lack of consultants out-of-hours, the Royal College of Physicians has claimed.
Foundation training programme oversubscribed
22 December 2010
THERE are not enough training posts for junior doctors entering the foundation programme in 2011, it has been confirmed.
Job loss fears despite pay freeze
22 December 2010
NHS staff face potential job cuts despite a two-year pay freeze for staff earning more than £21,000.
New guideline on child sedation
21 December 2010
A NEW guideline has been published to ensure young NHS patients are given effective sedation.
Women suffer “extreme dental anxiety”
21 December 2010
WOMEN are twice as likely to suffer extreme anxiety when visiting the dentist compared to men, a new survey has found.
Employers urged to check GDC updates
21 December 2010
DENTAL employers are being encouraged to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest changes in General Dental Council regulation.
21 December 2010
NEWLY qualified doctors will save £255 on GMC fees, it’s been announced.
Target pregnant women for H1N1 vaccination
20 December 2010
Practices are being urged to check stocks of flu vaccine and proactively target pregnant women for vaccination, in an advisory from the RCGP.
More adults retaining natural dentition
10 December 2010
A MAJOR dental survey has shown continuing improvements in adults’ oral health.
Government scraps independent medical adjudicator
9 December 2010
The Government has announced that the independent Office of the Health Professions Adjudicator (OHPA) is to be abolished and the GMC is to retain overall responsibility for adjudication in cases involving doctors.
BDA publishes oral cancer management strategy
9 December 2010
A new practical guide to help dental professionals combat the growing problem of oral cancer has been published by the The British Dental Association (BDA).
GDC deadline for CPD declarations
9 December 2010
DENTISTS are being reminded by the GDC to submit their annual or end of cycle Continuing Professional Development (CPD) declarations by 28 January.
Cuts in ‘protected time’ for consultants a false economy
9 December 2010
CUTS in 'protected time' for senior NHS doctors threatens quality and patient safety, according to a new report by the BMA.
Junior doctors’ training ‘risks patient safety’
26 November 2010
PATIENTS are being put at “unnecessary risk” because trainee doctors are working beyond their capabilities, a critical report has warned.
Medical schools better at preparing students
26 November 2010
JUNIOR doctors feel more prepared for work than in previous years, according to a new report.
Disabled are “under-represented” in medical schools
26 November 2010
DISABLED students are “under-represented” in medical schools, according to a report by the GMC.
NHS atlas highlights significant variations in care
25 November 2010
An atlas published by the Government that maps variations in health spending and outcomes across England has highlighted some significant regional differences including amputation rates among diabetics.
GPs could be judged on patient death rates
25 November 2010
GPs could be judged according to patient death rates as part of plans to identify high-risk practices.
Doctors are told to think rationally to avoid errors
25 November 2010
An overreliance on intuitive decision-making in clinical diagnosis can lead to errors, according to an expert speaking at a recent patient’s safety conference hosted by Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
24 November 2010
A REPORT on inpatients with diabetes in England and Wales has shown insulin prescribing errors in nearly one in five cases
Dentists trained to spot domestic abuse
24 November 2010
DENTISTS are being shown how to spot the signs of domestic abuse as part of a new pilot scheme.
New hospital mortality indicator
17 November 2010
A new mortality indicator for NHS hospitals in England is to be launched in April.
GDC launches major guidance review
04 November 2010
THE GDC is reviewing its core guidance for dental professionals.
MHRA looks to expand electronic Yellow Cards
3 November 2010
Over a thousand UK general practices now have the facility to report suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports to the Yellow Card Scheme directly using practice software.
GPs must check consent for extra SCR information
3 November 2010
GP practices that have saved more than the recommended core information into patients’ Summary Care Records will have to get consent or delete the information.
EU regulators work to improve patient safety
1 November 2010
AN agreement on ways to tighten rules on the movement of doctors in Europe has been signed by 25 EU medical regulators.
Review supports value of Summary Care Record
29 October 2010
SUMMARY Care Records containing core patient information will prove valuable in emergency cases, the Department of Health has announced.
Assaults on emergency staff rise sharply
29 October 2010
THE number of prosecutions for attacks on emergency service staff in Scotland has increased five-fold since 2005, new figures show.
DoH stops monitoring 48-hour compliance
29 October 2010
THE Department of Health has stopped checking which trusts are complying with the 48-hour working week, it has been revealed.
“Shocking” lack of posts for trainee surgeons
29 October 2010
HUNDREDS of would-be surgeons have been left without specialist training posts, an investigation has shown.
Medical students could end up £100,000 in debt
29 October 2010
A RISE in tuition fees could burden medical graduates with debts of up to £100,000, the BMA has warned.
Funding threat to five year GP training
29 October 2010
PROPOSALS to increase GP training from three to five years may be ignored due to funding shortages, the GMC has said.
Consultation response on abolishing GP boundaries
28 October 2010
A Department of Health consultation has found that 77 percent of the public in England support the principle that people should be able to register with any GP practice with an open list, whereas 70 per cent of healthcare professionals were opposed to free choice.
NICE database aims to reduce inappropriate referrals
28 October 2010
IN an initiative aimed at reducing the financial burden of inappropriate referrals to NHS secondary care, NICE has launched a recommendations database covering referral advice for patients with a range of conditions from suspected cancer to psoriasis.
New NICE guidance on bedwetting
28 October 2010
NEW NICE guidelines on nocturnal enuresis in children specifies no minimum age limit on the assessment and management of the condition.
GMC to start revalidation in 2012
20 October 2010
REVALIDATION will be implemented for doctors from “late 2012”, it has been announced.
GDC launches revalidation consultation
19 October 2010
THE General Dental Council has launched a 12 week consultation into revalidation – which it says will be implemented in 2014.
Plans for generic substitution of medicine abandoned
15 October 2010
PLANS to allow pharmacists to substitute branded drugs with generics have been abandoned by the government.
Government go-ahead for Summary Care Record rollout
13 October 2010
THE rollout of the Summary Care Record scheme will go ahead with patients given the right to opt-out, health secretary Andrew Lansley has confirmed.
GMC voices concerns over stretched medical training
12 October 2010
The GMC has expressed "significant concerns" over some aspects of medical training, including limited training time and reports that some junior doctors are being asked to take on tasks beyond their competence.
04 October 2010
DENTISTS’ fees will go up by almost a third at the end of the year after the GDC announced a sharp rise in charges.
New independent regulator for pharmacy professions
4 October 2010
Pharmacists now have a new independent regulator similar to the GMC and GDC for doctors and dentists.
24 September 2010
SOME medical graduates may not get a place on the 2011 Foundation Programme due to a wave of extra overseas applications.
Understaffing “causing juniors to quit”
24 September 2010
A RISE in the number of junior doctors leaving medicine could be due to the stress of working on understaffed wards, the BMA has suggested.
Fewer criminal record checks for trainees
24 September 2010
JUNIOR doctors will undergo fewer criminal record checks as part of a government cost-cutting drive.
23 September 2010
MORE trusts in England are reporting patient safety incidents, but fewer patients are being harmed, according to a new report.
Mandatory CQC registration looms for dental providers23 September 2010
All dental practices in England should begin the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission.
Dr title okay for dentists says poll
23 September 2010
A survey carried about by the BDA has found that four out of five dentists think it is appropriate to use the courtesy title of 'Dr'.
Hopes for new tool to improve early diagnosis of meningitis
23 September 2010
Public health experts working at the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have developed a model to assess if suspected meningitis is bacterial or viral in origin.
“Fundamental weaknesses” in cosmetic surgery delivery
16 September 2010
THERE are “fundamental weaknesses” in the way cosmetic surgery is delivered in the UK, according to a report by an official review body.
GDC seeks views on new approach to dental education
14 September 2010
A NEW approach to dental training has been set out by the GDC which focuses on quality patient care and professional standards.
Plans revealed for simpler revalidation
14 September 2010
GPs undergoing revalidation will be asked to submit fewer reports than previously thought, according to RCGP revalidation lead Professor Mike Pringle.
Blackout sufferers may be going undiagnosed, says NICE
27 August 2010
DOCTORS could be missing serious conditions like heart disease and epilepsy by failing to properly diagnose patients suffering blackouts, NICE has warned.
One in ten juniors ‘make prescription mistakes’
27 August 2010
A STANDARD system for prescriptions must be introduced to cut mistakes and improve patient safety, senior medics have warned.
Juniors snub specialty training
27 August 2010
A LOWER than expected number of junior doctors are applying for core or specialty training, according to early figures given to the Medical Programme Board.
Shortage of trainees threatening patient safety
27 August 2010
A DOCTORS’ union has warned that the ongoing shortage of junior doctors is threatening patient care and safety.
Doctors’ beliefs influence end of life care
26 August 2010
DOCTORS who have no strong religious beliefs are almost twice as likely to help speed up the death of a very sick patient, according to new research.
NICE urges aspirin to reduce hypertension risks in pregnancy
26 August 2010
Pregnant women at high risk of developing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy should be encouraged to take small doses of aspirin to help prevent complications, according to newly published NICE guidelines.
Telemedicine needs greater regulation
26 August 2010
Concerns over the provision of telemedicine by practitioners based outside the UK has prompted calls for greater regulation by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
Malaria risk not primarily in tourists
26 August 2010
Statistics show that more than eight out of ten cases of malaria in UK residents last year were in people returning from visits to friends and family abroad according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
25 August 2010
A 40 % rise in the GDC’s fitness to practise (FtP) case load has prompted the regulator to consult on a rule change that will allow the employment of 50 more council members.
GPs urged to ask patients about use of complementary medicines
25 August 2010
GPs should check which complementary medicines their patients are using to reduce the risk of adverse drug interactions.
Call for evidence on role of doctors in child protection
09 August 2010
DOCTORS are being asked to take part in a GMC consultation to develop new child protection guidance.
Rules limiting doctors’ hours ‘failing patients’
03 August 2010
RULES introduced last year to protect patient safety by limiting doctors’ working hours have “failed spectacularly” a new study has found.
GPs warned over flu vaccine risk
03 August 2010
GPs have been warned of a possible increased risk of febrile convulsions in under-fives associated with the use of Pfizer influenza vaccines.
GMC warnings will only be public for five years
28 July 2010
WARNINGS issued to doctors over their behaviour or performance will only be kept in the public domain for five years, the GMC has confirmed.
Make specialist training more flexible, study says
20 July 2010
MEDICAL training in the UK should be more flexible to help doctors choose the right specialty, a study suggests.
20 July 2010
A NUMBER of changes will be made to the MRCGP exam from September.
Junior doctors still work 56 hours a week, BMA says
20 July 2010
MORE than half of trainee doctors questioned in a survey regularly work more than 56 hours over a seven day period, the BMA says.
20 July 2010
EXAMS passed by doctors who are in specialty training - or about to start - will count towards qualification even if they are taken in non-approved training posts.
‘Forgivable loan’ plan for trainees
20 July 2010
DOCTORS could commit to working for the NHS in return for having some of their debt paid off.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme launch
16 July 2010
HEALTHCARE professionals in Scotland will have to conform to new rules protecting vulnerable people from November 30, the government has announced.
New GMC to provide new guidance on child protection
15 July 2010
A WORKING group has been set up to produce new guidance for doctors involved in child protection.
UK tops world in 'quality of death'
15 July 2010
The UK has been rated top in the world for 'quality of death' according to an index devised by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
15 July 2010
The GDC is looking for views on its new guidance on ethical advertising.
GMC pledge to 'streamline' revalidation proposals
15 July 2010
THE GMC has promised to “simplify and streamline” its revalidation proposals following a wide-ranging consultation into the issue.
Emphasis on prompt diagnosis in new meningitis guidelines
28 June 2010
RECOGNITION of the signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia is key in preventing death in children and young people contracting the diseases, says new clinical guidelines released by NICE.
Poor progress in allergy services
25 June 2010
IMPROVEMENT in the poor state of allergy services in the UK has been slow or non-existent according to a new report from a working party of the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Pathologists, supported by the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Call for ban on misleading private medical screening adverts
25 June 2010
MISLEADING adverts for private medical screenings should be banned, say doctors’ leaders.
Local anaesthetic prescribing changes
25 June 2010
DENTAL hygienists and therapists can now administer local anaesthetics following changes in the law.
GMC reassures trainees on exams
25 June 2010
EXAMS taken by trainee doctors outside approved training programmes can still count towards their certificate of completion of training.
Irregular shifts affect juniors’ health
25 June 2010
SHIFT patterns must be improved to protect the health of junior doctors, a BMA report argues.
“No compulsory redundancies” in NHS, Sturgeon says
25 June 2010
THERE will be no compulsory job cuts in the NHS in Scotland, the health secretary has confirmed.
Juniors missing out on time with consultants
25 June 2010
WORK demands are leaving consultants with less time to carry out tasks such as training junior doctors, the BMA has said.
Number of lecturers “nearly halved”, say academics
25 June 2010
THE number of clinical professors and lecturers has nearly halved as medical students have doubled in 10 years, medical academic leaders have claimed.
Juniors’ training can be saved by consultants, report says
24 June 2010
A GREATER input from consultants is the key to saving junior doctors’ training under the European Working Time Directive, a Government report has concluded.
17 June 2010
THE vetting and barring scheme for people who work with children and vulnerable people has been put on hold.
14 June 2010
PLANS to delay the rollout of revalidation have been welcomed by doctors’ groups.
GPs need more training to help cut 'sickies'
14 June 2010
GPs should be given better occupational health training to help cut the number of people taking sick days, UK employers have said.
Government offers protection for whistleblowers
14 June 2010
NHS whistleblowers will be given greater protection from the government, it has been announced.
25 May 2010
Nearly a third more fitness to practice panels hearings were conducted by the GMC in the year 2009 compared to 2008, according to statistics published last week on the GMC website.
Half of doctors abused by patients, report shows
25 May 2010
DOCTORS are facing a rising tide of violence and abuse from patients, a survey from the British Medical Association has revealed.
ARF reminder for dental professionals
25 May 2010
DENTAL professionals are being reminded they must pay their Annual Retention Fee by the end of July.
Cuts hit specialist trainee posts
24 May 2010
CUTS are being made to as many as a third of specialist trainee posts across the country.
Struggle at medical school increases risk of GMC trouble
24 May 2010
MALE doctors from poorer backgrounds who struggle at medical school are more likely to get in trouble with the GMC later in their career.
Cash-strapped new doctors struggle to buy into practices
24 May 2010
DEBT-laden new doctors are struggling to buy into practices because banks won’t lend them more money.
Juniors’ job fears over exam confusion
24 May 2010
JUNIOR doctors must not miss out on consultant jobs because of confusion over exam rules, the BMA has said.
Pregnant junior doctors could cause staff shortage
24 May 2010
HOSPITALS must prepare for staff shortages as many junior doctors become pregnant after getting their first secure job.
24 May 2010
AN accident and emergency unit has been forced to close at night due to a shortage of junior doctors.
24 May 2010
JUNIOR doctors have hit out at the rising cost of physician training fees – with some considering a boycott.
GMC has ‘no immediate plans’ to register medical students
24 May 2010
THE General Medical Council has ruled out any immediate moves to start registering student doctors or to introduce a national exam.
New GMC guidance on end-of-life care
21 May 2010
DOCTORS must discuss treatment options with patients who are likely to die within 12 months, the GMC has announced.
Whistleblowing doctors ‘need more protection’
14 May 2010
HOSPITAL doctors are too scared to raise concerns over patient care or staff behaviour in case it harms their career, a BMA survey has found.
GPSIs can continue minor skin cancer surgery
11 May 2010
GPs with a special interest (GPSIs) will be allowed to continue minor surgery for a range of skin cancers under updated NICE guidance due out on May 25.
11 May 2010
THE GDC is encouraging registrants to pay their annual retention fee by direct debit.
Doctors caring for up to 400 patients at night
21 April 2010
SOME doctors are responsible for as many as 400 hospital patients at night, a new report has claimed.
Ensure correct address for GDC
20 April 2010
The GDC is asking all dental professionals to double-check that their registered address is up to date.
Safety checklists cut patient deaths
19 April 2010
PATIENT deaths at three trouble-hit hospitals have been cut by 15 per cent thanks to a new system of treatment checklists.
19 April 2010
RULES restricting junior doctors’ working hours have increased sickness rates, a new study claims.
19 April 2010
JUNIOR doctor numbers have increased by two-thirds in the past 10 years, new figures reveal.
Parents pay £15,000 for medical student children
19 April 2010
SOME families are being forced to pay as much as £15,000 to put their children through medical school, the BMA has claimed.
Battling inequalities top priority for juniors
19 April 2010
TACKLING health inequalities should be a top priority, according to a group of trainee doctors.
A&E services threatened by trainee shortages
19 April 2010
HOSPITAL emergency departments are struggling to cope with new problems over junior doctor recruitment.
Practices risk hefty fine for data breaches
19 April 2010
GPs and practices face hefty fines under new powers to curb personal data security breaches.
Stroke often unrecognised by patients
19 April 2010
A majority of patients suffering TIAs or strokes do not recognise the symptoms and delay seeking medical attention according to new research.
16 April 2010
DOCTORS involved in research can access new guidance from the GMC.
New guidelines on acute chest pain
31 March 2010
New guidelines aimed at improving the assessment and diagnosis of patients with recent onset chest pain/discomfort of suspected cardiac origin are expected to reduce premature deaths.
Updated dental appliance standards
31 March 2010
An updated version of GDC standards on the commissioning and manufacture of dental appliances has been published.
31 March 2010
A MULTI-MILLION pound computer system that aims to improve communication between hospitals and GPs has been launched in Scotland.
GDC issues student fitness to practise guide
30 March 2010
New guidance developed to promote professional behaviour among dental students and to help educational providers deal with issues which may call into question a student's fitness to practise has been published by the GDC.
Dozens of children’s wards face closure, says RCP
19 March 2010
BUDGET cuts and the impact of the 48-hour working week mean some children’s in-patient wards will have to close, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has said.
GMC consultation on revalidation
19 March 2010
A MAJOR consultation on GMC plans for revalidation was launched in March and will run for three months.
Junior doctors get different pay rises
19 March 2010
JUNIOR doctors in Scotland are to receive a bigger pay rise than those in England.
Understaffing crisis sparked by EWTD
19 March 2010
ALMOST half of UK junior doctors work in understaffed teams because of the European Working Time Directive, according to a new BMA survey.
Junior doctors' training appeal
19 March 2010
JUNIOR doctors should not be penalised if poor training opportunities affect their competency level.
19 March 2010
HOSPITAL emergency departments may have to restrict their hours due to a shortage of junior doctors.
NICE reconsiders hypertension guidance
18 March 2010
New research suggesting that people with fluctuating blood pressure readings could be at greater risk of suffering a stroke than those with consistently high readings is to accessed by NICE with a view to possibly revising it own hypertension guidance.
18 March 2010
Over 30 dental practices across England are soon to begin piloting recommendations made by Department of Health’s Steele review into NHS dental services in England.
Patient handovers under scrutiny
18 March 2010
DOCTORS are being asked to report their experiences of the patient handover process as part of a new investigation by the Royal College of Physicians.
Hospital patients fail to get medicines
18 March 2010
HOSPITAL patients are not getting all the medication they need, a new report has revealed.
GPs ‘overrun by coughs and sneezes’
17 March 2010
GPs are spending nearly a fifth of their time treating minor ailments, according to a new report.
15 March 2010
DENTISTS have until the end of March to fill in their continuing professional development returns.
New ‘red flags’ for meningitis
02 March 2010
LEG pain and cold hands and feet have emerged as leading ‘red flag’ symptoms in diagnosing children presenting with meningococcal disease in a new study.
Don't dismiss 'cyberchondriacs'
24 February 2010
MDDUS medical law expert Dr Anthea Martin warns doctors against dismissing all web-wise patients as 'cyberchondriacs'.
GMC announces major consultation on revalidation
17 February 2010
A major consultation on GMC plans for revalidation will be launched on 1 March and will run from three months.
Urgent action needed on widening dental health gap in children
17 February 2010
Prevention of dental decay in under-fives living in deprived areas should be an urgent priority, says the British Dental Health Foundation in response to a new report into children’s health.
Dentists urged to give SDR close study
16 February 2010
Scots dentists must pay careful attention to the terms of the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR) in order to avoid inaccurate claims which could lead to fees being withheld or disciplinary action.
16 February 2010
Three quarters of trusts in England have failed to comply with at least one National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) alert since 2004 according to a report published by the charity Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA).
SIGN guidelines on Parkinson’s disease
16 February 2010
A new guideline on the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease has been published by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).
Virtual tool for GMC hearing participants
16 February 2010
A new initiative has been launched to provide more support for those attending a GMC hearing into a doctor’s fitness to practise.
GP compliance with Disability Discrimination Act
16 February 2010
Updated guidance on the physical adjustments necessary for GP premises to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) have been published by the British Medical Association’s General Practitioners Committee (GPC).
Public interest disclosure in anthrax outbreak
16 February 2010
Doctors in Scotland are being urged to share information with police and the Crown Office in regard to investigations connected with the anthrax outbreak among injecting drug users.
Trainees ignoring EWTD due to staff shortages
15 February 2010
Junior doctors at a major UK hospital are working longer hours because stricter immigration laws have sparked a recruitment crisis.
University acts to avoid exam mistakes
15 February 2010
MEDICAL students will sit their final exams six weeks early at Cardiff University after four people were wrongly told last year they had qualified.
Training needs tighter regulation
15 February 2010
A clear regulatory framework must be put in place for the education and training of doctors in career posts, according to a draft report from the General Medical Council.
Five-year GP training to be re-examined
15 February 2010
A more convincing argument needs to be made about the need for five-year GP training.
Rethink on deaneries employment status
15 February 2010
The government has been forced to rethink plans to exempt deaneries from employment agency legislation and to re-consult on the issue.
Trainee shortage causes hospital cutbacks
15 February 2010
HOSPITAL services in some parts of the UK are stretched due to a shortage of junior doctors.
New controls on GP out-of-hours care follows coroner’s verdict
4 February 2010
The Department of Health has announced tighter controls and more robust skills and knowledge testing for GPs offering out-of-hours services.
1 February 2010
New regulations replacing medical sick notes with new ‘fit notes’ are due to be implemented from 6 April.
VTE assessment for all hospital admissions
27 January 2010
All patients should be assessed for risk of developing blood clots on admission to hospital and given tailored preventative treatment, according to new NICE guidelines developed jointly with the National Clinical Guideline Centre for Acute and Chronic Conditions.
Anti-obesity drug licence suspended amid safety fears
22 January 2010
GPs should stop prescribing anti-obesity drug sibutramine after its licence was suspended.
High rate of child drug errors
21 January 2010
A LARGE number of mistakes are being made in drug treatments given to children in hospital, according to a new report.
New survey highlights risks of EWTD in restricting juniors’ hours
15 January 2010
New laws restricting junior doctors’ working hours are benefiting nurses but endangering patients, according to a new survey.
Fair deal for juniors’ travel expenses
15 January 2010
A new deal has been struck over travel and relocation expenses for junior doctors in Scotland.
Early details emerge of EWTD review
15 January 2010
Early details are emerging of a review into the impact of the European Working Time Directive on doctors’ training.
Still no equal access to medicine
15 January 2010
Efforts to open up the medical profession to people from poorer backgrounds have failed despite years of investment, a new report claims.
Junior doctors' training threat
15 January 2010
Calls have been made for an end to the Department of Health review of training funding amid fears junior doctors could lose out on millions of pounds.
RCGP pilots Revalidation ePortfolio
14 January 2010
The RCGP has launched a pilot of its new ePortfolio for GPs to log progress towards revalidation.
14 January 2010
Dentists are being given timely advice at the start of a New Year that they must comply with guidelines on clinical audit activity in order to avoid sanctions from the General Dental Council.
Trends in elderly dentition suggest growing dento-legal risk
16 February 2010
An increasing number of elderly retaining their teeth poses a growing risk to dentists in providing adequate care.
Updated version of 'Spotting the Sick Child'
13 January 2010
An updated version of an online educational tool to help healthcare professionals in the assessment of the acutely sick child has been launched.
13 January 2010
Tube feeding of patients near the end of life should be a 'last resort' according to a Working Party report published by the Royal College of Physicians and the British Society of Gastroenterology.
Emergency review ordered into care home prescribing
8 January 2010
AN emergency review has been ordered by the Department of Health into the safety of drug use in care homes.
News articles are archived in the online searchable MDDUS Resource Library.