Cost-specific texts reduce missed appointments
PATIENT reminder text messages highlighting the specific cost of missed appointments helped reduce non-attendance by almost a quarter, a Department of Health (DoH) study has shown.
Elderly patients reluctant to complain
PEOPLE over the age of 65 are often reluctant to complain about the quality of their healthcare out of worry that it might impact future treatment, according to a new report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
New appeal powers for GMC
NEW powers to appeal medical tribunal decisions have been awarded to the General Medical Council after a long campaign by the regulator.
Mending what’s broken
Adam Campbell talks with artist-doctor Katy Shorttle on the unique cross-fertilisation in her twin-track career
MDDUS champions fair system for reducing legal costs
MDDUS strongly supports the early implementation of a fair system for resolving clinical negligence claims that benefits the patients harmed rather than the lawyers supporting the claim.
"Mild" headache
...The notes also reveal that the GP considered the possibility of head injury in that he recorded that there were no associated symptoms...
Deviating from clinical guidelines
Clinical guidelines are not statutory codes - clinicians must use professional judgment in applying the principles to each unique situation they encounter.
“Stark challenge” for NHS over excessive drinking
EMERGENCY hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions have increased by more than 50 per cent in nine years and now top 250,000 a year, a new report shows.
Patient satisfaction ratings linked to antibiotic prescribing
GPs handing out fewer prescriptions for antibiotics get lower patient satisfaction ratings according to a study published in the British Journal of General Practice.
Revalidation “on track” says GMC
NEARLY 75 per cent of doctors should be revalidated by April 2016 says the GMC.