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Ramblings

Medical Specialities as Game of Thrones Characters – are GPs the Nights Watch?

When you have the opportunity to combine two passions, it is one that must be grabbed by the dragon’s horns. Recently the Faculty of Medicine for doctors and medical students had a post describing the various medical specialities. https://forum.facmedicine.com/threads/medical-specialties-as-game-of-thrones-characters.32024/ The article talks about how the different medical specialities are aligned with various characters or houses […]

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Ramblings

Black Wednesday 2018

Did anyone notice the thunderstorms, rain and general dreariness of today (the first Wed of August)? Some may explain the meteorological reasons for this phenomenon, or put it down to the British weather. I myself blame Black Wednesday. For those non-medics reading this article, Black Wednesday is in reference to doctor change over day. This is […]

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Ramblings

Dr Gandalf’s essential GP equipment list (2019)

The kit you need as a GP – Dr Gandalf’s essential GP equipment list It is almost August and that means a new wave of AiTs ( Associates in training – the actual name of GP trainees) will qualify as GPs. Many of these AiTs will turn to locum work to gain variety, experience and […]

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Technology

How to protect yourself from a cyber attack as a clinician – NHS data security tips.

NHS data security information and simple solutions.  On 12.05.2017 the NHS was victim to the largest cyber attack to date, a clear breach of NHS data security systems and process.  The result was mass closures of practices, and marked delays in secondary care and emergency departments. While this was a malicious act, there are some […]

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Ramblings

How to be a model patient in 26 easy steps at Satyre Medical Practice

Satyre Medical Practice guidance for patients. Dear patient. Welcome to our practice. The following are some suggestions of how to make things most pleasant for our staff. You may book an appointment at any time. It doesn’t matter if we have already offered you three appointments today, as they are not at the exact moment […]

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Ramblings

You wouldn’t….

Today a colleague (Ed Pooley) of mine made an astute observation. The generation shifts from baby boomers, to Generation X and Y and now the millenials,  and the way people view the world now means many want services to function in a convenient way for them, regardless of whether it is paid for or free. […]

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#1careRevolution Ramblings

Should #huntresign?

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 […]

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#1careRevolution Ramblings

NHS England – insane or dangerous.

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 […]

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#1careRevolution Ramblings

A hypothetical annotated version of Jeremy Hunt’s: message to NHS staff on the new deal for GPs

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) […]

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Ramblings

The GPs Watch

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 […]