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Drive to increase private sector health care providers could destabilise the NHS in Scotland

The warning came as doctors debated health policies on the growth of independent sector treatment centres in England which, doctors claim, is creating unnecessary competition and destabilising the viability of local NHS hospitals.

27 Jun 2005

Patients in hospital are at greater risk of dying at weekends

A new report by an independent health analyst, says hospital patients are at greater risk of dying at weekends.

27 Jun 2005

Britain heading for a 'carer crisis' as population ages

According to a new report in 30 years time one in five adults in Britain will be looking after a sick, elderly or disabled relative.

27 Jun 2005

Scots outline their priorities for health in new BMA survey

Cleaner hospitals are the top priority for Scots according to the results of a poll released by the British Medical Association (BMA), Sunday 26 June 2005. However bottom of patients' list of priorities was to have a choice for where they can have an operation.

26 Jun 2005

Bishop of Manchester addresses doctors at BMA Annual Conference

In a robust address at the annual British Medical Association Conference Service, on Sunday 26th June, the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Revd. Nigel McCulloch accused the government of undermining trust between the medical profession and the public. He said:

26 Jun 2005

Patients lose trust at U.S.hospital after hydraulic fluid incident

Officials at Duke Health Raleigh Hospital has sent letters this week to about 4,000 patients whose surgeons unknowingly used instruments washed in hydraulic fluid.

23 Jun 2005

The CMS demonstration project in oncology

The PricewaterhouseCoopers study that the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) commissioned shows that an estimated $13 billion will be saved from Medicare spending for cancer care through 2013. This is $8.8 billion more than the original intent of Congress in passing the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA).

22 Jun 2005

Australian community-based intervention program to successfully reduce antibiotics use for colds and flu

The South Australian Health Department is leading a community-based intervention program to successfully reduce antibiotics use for colds and flu.

21 Jun 2005

Confronting self-harm crisis in A&E departments

Health service staff have been told to 'own up' to widespread feelings of anger and disgust when faced with people who need medical treatment because they cut or harm themselves.

21 Jun 2005

Gay doctors and patients in the UK fear discrimination

A new report by the British Medical Association (BMA) says that gay and lesbian patients are often reluctant to reveal their sexuality to their doctors because they fear their treatment will suffer.

20 Jun 2005

Super GP surgeries to be developed within grounds of top hospitals

Medical experts say the development of super-surgeries within hospital grounds, or practices being taken over by the elite NHS trusts is a very real possibility.

20 Jun 2005

Hygiene squads all set to hit dirty hospitals

In an effort to reduce infections among patients, independent investigators are to carry out random spot checks on hospital hygiene.

20 Jun 2005

Blood emergency declared in New York supply

As a result of last week's extreme humidity and high temperatures, blood donations fell by 25% leaving the community blood supply at risk and in a critical state far below what is required to adequately serve local patients.

19 Jun 2005

BMA calls on government to tackle healthcare skills drain at G8

The G8 nations must address the exodus of healthcare workers from the developing world if they are to tackle global poverty, the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing tell the government today (Friday 17 June, 2005).

16 Jun 2005

European working time directive may put doctors' and patients' lives at risk

Introduced in August 2004, it aims to reduce working hours in order to improve workers’ health and safety, but the current NHS shift system could threaten doctors’ and, moreover, patients’ safety, argue Professor Roy Pounder and colleagues.

16 Jun 2005

BMA calls on trusts to stop removing junior doctors' on-call accommodation

Commenting on an editorial in Friday’s British Medical Journal warning that shift systems for junior doctors may affect patient safety, Mr Simon Eccles, chairman of the BMA’s Junior Doctors’ Committee, says today (Friday 17 June, 2005):

16 Jun 2005

Survey reflects need for continued focus on patient safety

A survey of Calgary Health Region employees and physicians indicates the Region continues to make progress in improving patient safety, but further action is required to address specific areas of concern such as the reporting of hazards.

15 Jun 2005

Prevalence of public health care institutions challenges vendors of refurbished medical imaging equipment

Even as health care systems across Europe recognise the potential of medical imaging equipment in diagnosing diseases and fuel demand for cost-effective refurbished medical imaging equipment, market participants face several crucial issues.

15 Jun 2005

When it comes to alcohol problems British doctors come second to publicans and bar staff

A British Medical Association chief says that as many as one in 15 British doctors has had a problem with alcohol or drugs.

14 Jun 2005

Surgical tools were washed in hydraulic fluid, many report lingering health problems

In a quite shocking revelation it has been discovered that as many as 3,800 patients at two hospitals run by Duke University Health System were operated on last year with instruments that were washed in hydraulic fluid instead of detergent.

14 Jun 2005