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RCN nurses demand prostitution be decriminalised

A dynamic slogan designed to grab attention "Be bold. Be daring. Be caring and support decriminalisation," has been used in an attempt by the Royal College of Nursing in the UK, to call on the government to decriminalise prostitution in order to protect the health of vulnerable women and men who feel unable to access NHS and social services.

27 Apr 2005

Substituting nurses for doctors results in high quality care, few savings

Many primary care responsibilities can be safely transferred from doctors to appropriately trained nurses, says a new review of evidence. Yet there is little proof that such a shift reduces physician workload or health-care costs.

27 Apr 2005

Baby gene tests safety should be checked

Experts are warning that the long-term safety of screening embryos for genetic diseases is going unchecked.

26 Apr 2005

Emergency contraceptive Plan B now available over the counter in Canada

The emergency contraceptive drug Plan B will now be available over the counter in all of Canada as Health Canada yesterday ended the prescription requirement for Paladin Labs Inc.'s contraceptive.

20 Apr 2005

Germany leads the way with e-health

Germany is poised to introduce its next generation e-health card in 2006. The new version, set to replace the existing insurance card – holding only the patient’s name, address and insurance number – will be the latest example of smart card technology to hit the market in Europe. It will be able to store prescription information and might even be used as the standard card for a digital signature – the key to modern eGovernment applications.

12 Apr 2005

No link between silicone implants and systemic disease

Silicone breast implants have been scrutinized more than any medical device, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has stated.

10 Apr 2005

British hospitals need clinical ethicists

"We need to introduce clinical ethicists in hospitals in the United Kingdom," says a researcher in medical ethics in this week's BMJ.

3 Apr 2005

Finding opens new doors to determining susceptibility to antidepressant side effects

In a finding that opens new doors to determining susceptibility to antidepressant side effects, researchers at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute report that changes in brain activity prior to treatment with antidepressants can flag patient vulnerability.

30 Mar 2005

New guidelines mean tailor-made drugs are on the way

Many experts believe a milestone has been reached with the issuing of guidelines for pharmaceutical companies to encourage them to gather and submit information about how genetic variations affect the way people respond to their drugs.

23 Mar 2005

BMA(NI) initial response to Review of Public Administration further consultation

In an initial response to the further consultation document on the Review of Public Administration, BMA(NI) Chairman, Dr Brian Patterson, said: "In our response to the first RPA document we highlighted our belief that the number of Health Boards in Northern Ireland should be reduced and are pleased to see that this has been reflected in this latest document.

22 Mar 2005

Relief for overactive bladder patients

New landmark data (the STAR Study), revealed today from the European Association of Urology in Istanbul, Turkey, show that patients suffering from Overactive Bladder (OAB) syndrome will see considerably better improvements in their symptoms when being treated with the new antimuscarinic drug solifenacin, than on tolterodine ER - an antimuscarinic drug that is widely used.

17 Mar 2005

Mainstream model of medical care may not be the answer for eliminating disparities in African American population

Having a health clinic in the apartment next door may not be everyone's idea of a good neighbor. But a new study shows that such a clinic can be much more effective than a traditional one in improving African American's heart health.

15 Mar 2005

Decision to cut Alzheimer's drugs challenged

Four major drugs, the only drugs licensed in Britain for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and available on the NHS may be withdrawn. Aricept, Exelon, Reminyl and Ebixa are the only drugs licensed in Britain for the treatment of the disease.

14 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. However, the obstacles it has encountered - and has largely overcome - can serve as valuable lessons for other developing countries trying to launch their own treatment programs, according to an article in the March 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

14 Mar 2005

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