As promised when I last blogged on here last week, I said I would write about the next generation of Welsh medics, so here it is! I went to our latest Medical Students Committee meeting a few days ago, and I have to say how refreshing it was to hear from young people, who are [...]
Archive for March, 2009
Refreshing slice of medical student life
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Where are all our young GPs?
Thursday, March 26th, 2009Glad to see that the issue of the very real prospect of a GP shortage in South Wales is getting some attention. Dr David Bailey, Chairman of our GP committee is highlighting the problem in the South Wales Echo as new figures show that most doctors here are now aged 60 or over, without younger [...]
Getting tough on violence in the NHS
Thursday, March 26th, 2009Myself and a GP member of BMA Cymru Wales gave evidence to the Assembly Audit Committee yesterday, on the back of the Auditor General’s latest report into violence and aggression against NHS staff. The committee’s holding an inquiry into the report findings, because the Auditor General has found that violence is still a big issue [...]
Ways for BMA members to broaden their horizons
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009This post will hopefully be of interest to most of our members, but it may be of particular interest to junior doctors, who may find it a bit easier at the start of their careers and whilst still relatively ‘young’ (not that I want to in any way be ageist here!) to head off to [...]
How much worse does binge drinking have to get before our politicians take action?
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009This article in the Wales on Sunday makes for disappointing reading for the BMA and its members, who deal on daily basis, with the very real consequences of alcohol misuse. The fact that many Assembly Members don’t think that raising the cost of drink won’t in any way help prevent binge-drinking, is quite staggering. I [...]
Reminder about the GMC’s Specialist Register and the restoration of the Existing Specialist Route
Friday, March 13th, 2009I blogged on a letter from the GMC about its Specialist Register and the restoration of the Existing Specialist Route back in January, but I think it’s probably just worth bringing it to members’ attention again. The contents of a letter are as follows; Eligibility for Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register: restoration of the [...]
The wait goes on for hundreds of people in Wales on the organ donor register
Friday, March 13th, 2009Hard-hitting health campaigns can nowadays, seem to lack the very ‘shock’ factor they are trying to illicit. But I think the latest TV advert by Kidney Wales certainly should get across the point to viewers about just how important it is anyone considering signing up to the organ donor register does so, NOW. The fact [...]
National No Smoking Day is still needed
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009It’s that time of year again when smokers are urged to kick the habit. Some people may be surprised that we still have such National Days as, fortunately, many of us never come into contact with cigarettes and smoking since the introduction of the smoking ban in Wales. National No Smoking Day is still very [...]
Patient safety has to be at the forefront of the Welsh NHS
Monday, March 9th, 2009This Western Mail article regarding NHS safety breaches is a cause for concern for anyone working in the NHS, as well as to patients. Patient safety is paramount at all times in the Welsh NHS, but it would perhaps be naïve to think ALL risks can be removed. For instance, when the health service is [...]
BMA Cymru steps up calls for sunbeds to be regulated
Friday, March 6th, 2009BMA Cymru Wales is talking to young people at a school in Swansea today about the potential health risks of using sunbeds. For at least five years now we have been calling on the UK Government to regulate sunbed use after research showed that some people are having more than 100 sunbed sessions in a [...]
Isn’t it about time England acted on bringing in free prescriptions?
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009England’s Department of Health is looking to extend the list of long-term conditions that are exempt from prescription charges. Instead of doing that, why not bring in free prescriptions, which is undoubtedly the fairest and simplest option, which the Welsh Assembly Government did nearly two years ago now? It’s questionable as to the wisdom of [...]
New look for Careers Website
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009I just wanted to highlight the new Wales Deanery website, which is now taking shape, as part of the Cardiff University Uniweb upgrade. There has been a great deal of change in the shape and scope of medical career pathways over the past few years and the need for up-to-date information has grown. Everyone from [...]