If yet more research is to be believed, Wales has one of the happiest areas to live in. Powys is THE number one cheerful place in the whole of the UK based on a sense of wellbeing, adding in factors such as employment, health and educational qualifications. So this got me thinking about the problems [...]
Archive for August, 2008
Let’s all move to Powys!
Friday, August 29th, 2008
Wales is tipping the scales!
Friday, August 29th, 2008So Wales, according to research, is officially the fattest place in the UK. The research is compiled using data from GP practices relating to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) for 2006/07. The QOF includes keeping a register of patients aged 16 and over with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over in [...]
Lucentis decision re-opens can of worms over NHS drug funding
Friday, August 29th, 2008The U-turn by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) this week regarding the sight-saving drug Lucentis, returns us once again to the debate about what the NHS should and shouldn’t be funding. Lucentis is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of sight loss in the UK. But, [...]
For once – a pat on the back for GPs
Friday, August 22nd, 2008At last, after all the GP bashing of late, with accusations of them get paid more, for working less hours, it’s refreshing to come across a good news story about doctors. And what makes this story all the more important, it’s based on a survey of what you – the patient thinks. Share:
BMA Cymru Wales on YouTube
Friday, August 22nd, 2008The video team here in the office have been busy putting together various videos for our YouTube channel, BMAtv. Here’s a selection of their work. BMA Cymru Wales at the National Eisteddfod Find out how to join BMA Cymru Wales’ junior doctors committee Changes to the structure of NHS Wales Reforms to Welsh CouncilExperiences of [...]
Wales has lost a golden opportunity to take the lead on organ donation
Friday, August 22nd, 2008The Assembly’s Health Committee has rejected the idea of introducing presumed consent for organ donation in the near future. They voted against a proposal to apply for a Legislative Competence Order (LCO), which would give the Assembly the power to bring in such a system in Wales, by six votes to three. And the reason [...]
Junior doctors – Wales needs you!
Friday, August 22nd, 2008The possible closure of Singleton Hospital’s casualty department highlights the need to encourage more junior doctors to come and work in Wales. BMA Cymru Wales and the Welsh Deanery have been working together on a joint video project to encourage more junior doctors to come and work in Wales. Share:
Changes to NHS Wales
Friday, August 22nd, 2008Edwina Hart is certainly a Minister willing to shake-up our NHS. She’s signed the death certificate for the much maligned internal market in NHS Wales – effectively ending the purchaser/provider split. For our part, BMA Cymru Wales’ has consistently called for an end to the internal market which only serves to undermine the public service [...]
Reform of Welsh Council
Friday, August 22nd, 2008The BMA’s annual meeting in July approved changes to the rules, allowing Welsh Council’s structure to be altered, to better meet our needs. The voting membership has been reduced to 24: nine ex-officio members recognising the principal branches of practice in Wales, plus fifteen directly-elected members. The “direct election” component is a first for us [...]
Don’t balls-up chance to address men’s health
Thursday, August 21st, 2008WELSH rugby captain, Ryan Jones’ backing of the testicular cancer campaign is highly commendable and has the full support of BMA Cymru/Wales. As the leading professional association for doctors, we’re not in the business of knocking attempts to raise awareness of such a serious condition – nor a Grand Slam winner, for that matter! But, [...]
Putting prescriptions in perspective
Thursday, August 21st, 2008A five percent hike in the number of prescriptions dispensed in Wales, reported in official figures has led to the usual knee jerk response, that it obviously signifies a failure of the free prescription policy now benefiting patients in Wales. Why? Critics believe patients are exploiting the system to stockpile Bonjela and Calpol. Can this [...]
NHS changes and the National Eisteddfod
Wednesday, August 13th, 2008This is my first attempt at a blog, so bear with me as I grasp the ins and outs of blogging! BMA Cymru Wales is trying to keep its members up-to-date with current events and issues as they happen. I would welcome any feedback and “constructive” interactive comments on what I post on my blog. [...]