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Exodus of doctors from the NHS predicted

An exodus of doctors from the NHS, starting with a retirement surge in 2006, is predicted by the British Medical Association if plans to reduce the value of NHS pensions and increase the normal retirement age from 60 to 65 years, go ahead.

13 Mar 2005

Study examines lessons learned at Africa's first public antiretroviral treatment clinic

A public clinic offering antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to people with HIV/AIDS, recently established in Botswana, has had its share of trials and errors.

9 Mar 2005

New method of organising care for adults in the UK who suffer from clinical depression

Researchers at the University of York are investigating a new method of organising care for some of the three million adults in the UK who suffer from clinical depression.

6 Mar 2005

Expected revolution in medicine, telemedicine, has simply not happened

Despite high expectations, telemedicine and telehealthcare systems, which enable doctors to interact with patients many miles away via video, digital imaging and electronic data transmission, have had only limited impact on the National Health Service, according to a study sponsored by the ESRC.

3 Mar 2005

Report calls for father-friendlier Britain

Young fathers in Britain should be given a greater financial incentive to become hands-on carers during their child’s early years, according to a new report.

27 Feb 2005

Biggest-ever study of constipation in the world

An embarrassing medical problem that costs UK health services £50m each year is to be investigated in the biggest-ever study of the condition in the world.

23 Feb 2005

Cell phones useful and feasible for visualizing leg wounds

Use of cell phones to send images via e-mail to consulting physicians at remote locations appears to be a feasible approach for visualization of chronic leg ulcerations, according to an article in the current issue of Archives of Dermatology.

21 Feb 2005

Withdrawal of the commonly prescribed painkiller, co-proxamol

A phased withdrawal of the commonly prescribed painkiller, co-proxamol, has been announced by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

1 Feb 2005

Consultation on NHS Pension Scheme Review opens in Scotland

Consultation on the NHS Pension Scheme Review for Scotland starts today (24 January 2005) with the publication of the long awaited consultation document. The BMA will be collecting the views of doctors in Scotland to feed into its formal response.

24 Jan 2005

Financial incentives will not address the fundamental problems that GPs have with the new choose and book system

Responding to the announcement by Health Secretary, John Reid, that £95m will be made available to reward GPs for using the new "choose and book" system, Dr Richard Vautrey, the BMA's GP negotiator with responsibility for IT said:

19 Jan 2005

BMA responds to National Audit Office report on patient choice

Commenting on the National Audit Office report "Patient Choice at the Point of GP Referral" published today (19/1/05), Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee said:

19 Jan 2005

Measures to improve the drug side effect reporting system - the Yellow Card Scheme

Patients and researchers will be able to look at data on the safety of different medicines announced Health Minister, Lord Warner today. The move is part of a series of measures to further improve the drug side effect reporting system - the Yellow Card Scheme, which is used by the medicines watchdog (MHRA) to monitor the safety of medicines in the UK.

17 Jan 2005

Pilgrimage to Mecca comes with a few medical risks

The Hajj or Haj is the Pilgrimage to Mecca (or, "Makkah") and is the fifth of the "Five Pillars of Islam". Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime. Later this month about three million Muslims will gather for this major pilgrimage. But two doctors in this week's BMJ warn that the Hajj carries considerable health risks if the pilgrim is unprepared.

13 Jan 2005

Body drumming a hit for phobics

Conquering a fear of heights or spiders might be as easy as some strategic body drumming.

10 Jan 2005

Bush Administration pressures Canada to eliminate drug importation

The following news release is being issued by CIPA - Canadian mail-order drug importation may become illegal soon due to new regulations proposed by the Liberal Government. After quietly supporting the practice for four years, the Liberals made a conspicuous about face after President Bush's November visit to Canada.

4 Jan 2005

Give all workers the right to a smoke-free environment

As civil servants throughout Northern Ireland head back to work today to completely smoke-free offices, the BMA is again calling for this public health benefit to be extended to all workers here.

4 Jan 2005

For uncomplicated colds antibiotics are not necessary

If a runny nose and congested chest have you thinking of antibiotics, think again.

3 Jan 2005

Study investigates value of "Center of Excellence" designation

A new study says cancer surgery performed at a medical center designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a "center of excellence" is associated with less risk of death soon after surgery than if performed at a high-volume surgery center, but finds no difference in five-year survival rates.

27 Dec 2004

BMA(NI) response to launch of latest DHSSPS consultation document

Commenting on today's launch of the DHSSPS consultation document, "A Healthier Future", the Chairman of the BMA's NI Council, Dr Brian Patterson, said:

21 Dec 2004

Magnetic bracelets reduce pain in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee

Osteoarthritis affects around 760,000 people in the United Kingdom, producing over 3 million general practice consultations in 2000. Manufacturers of magnetic bracelets claim that they can reduce pain and worldwide sales were estimated at £2.6bn ($5bn) in 1999. But evidence about their effectiveness is contradictory.

20 Dec 2004