Over the past week the medical profession has taken a barrage of hits orchestrated in my view by the media and Jeremy Hunt. 1. Jeremy Hunt announces if the BMA do not support his plans for a 7 day NHS contract on hospital based consultants then he will enforce a contract change on them (hence by definition not a contract …
Would you ask a gardener to cut your hair? It is still cutting after all. Would you ask a rapper to lead an orchestra? It still music after all. Would you ask a gastric (stomach) surgeon to operate on your brain? It still surgery after all. For the sane individuals out there the answer would be no to all of …
Jeremy Hunt’s hypothetical statement notes. The cynics version. ‘Thank you for having me back as Health Secretary. (well you didn’t have a choice in the matter) I always believed doing this job is one of the biggest privileges of my life and I am incredibly proud to be responsible once again ( causing the difficulties) for so many remarkable people …
8AM gathers and so my watch begins It shall not end until my retirement, or emigration I shall take no lunch breaks, get no thanks, have no work-free weekends I shall wear no trainers nor win any appreciation from the government I shall live and die at my computer I am the prescription pad in the darkness The stethoscope on …
Yesterday Jeremy Hunt unveiled his new deal for GPs. I watched this on a live stream prior to starting a late morning clinic. To say I was unimpressed would be an understatement. In his speech Jeremy Hunt has offered: Metric data on staffing levels within primary care £10 million for practices that are struggling An extra year in secondary care …
I was interested to hear Jeremy Hunt announce on Radio 4 his intention to review the terms and conditions of GPs. I feel this is overdue. Much has been written about the crisis of recruitment and expectation faced by GPs, who, being the most efficient part of the NHS (90% of NHS work done by primary care for less than …
Ramadan is here and particularly in the UK, there are approximately 19 hour fasts. These can have a physical toll on the human body. As a result it is worth covering the common conditions that affect people during this time and how to prevent them. Headaches: a common symptom particularly at the start of Ramadan most commonly due to dehydration …
I was asked to write a blog for Pulse, unfortunately due to the busy day I submitted it late. Here it is anyway: After a hectic meeting with district nurses, community matron team, care coordinator and local practice team discussing complex patients, risk registers and end of life care; I then had a busy on-call followed by my afternoon clinic of complex multi-morbid …
So the BOMTTU bunfight came and went. The DrGandalf journey began at the the top of snow hill. Descending its peak I Braved the harsh weather of middle midlands to arrive at the Old Stock and joint. Greeted by familiar faces and the hugging death grip of the Human Tourniquet the afternoon brought acquaintances old and new. Ironically meeting the …
Do hacks really work? Well I think they do. In 2012 I attended the #digidoc2012 conference in London. This was a conference aimed at bringing clinicians and technology enthusiasts together to learn how better to use technology to help in a clinical setting. Part of the day included tutorials and lectures, but my favourite part was the ‘hack’ session. In …