Miscellaneous News

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Local people, it seems, do not want to be involved in running the NHS

On 1 April 2004, the first 10 NHS foundation trusts came into being, giving local people ownership and accountability for health services. Yet most trusts have found it difficult to persuade enough people to help decide how they operate, writes Professor Rudolf Klein of the London School of Economics.

5 Jun 2004

Communication overload makes office workers SAD

New research from The University of Surrey has highlighted the impact of modern communications on acceptable business behaviour and its effect on office workers.

5 Jun 2004

BMA warns medical training reforms still inadequate

Medical students applying for their first jobs should be clear about what they are signing up to, the BMA says today (Saturday 5 June), as new research reveals a continuing lack of clarity about reforms to doctors' training.

5 Jun 2004

Summer advice for allergy and asthma sufferers

Summer's arrival means getting outside for some fun in the sun. Whether hiking, camping or gardening, allergy and asthma sufferers can manage symptoms by taking the proper precautions, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

5 Jun 2004

UK's Hepatitis C ex-gratia payment scheme to launch

The Skipton Fund, the body set up to administer the UK-wide ex gratia payment scheme for people infected with Hepatitis C from NHS blood or blood products, will launch and begin processing applications on July 5 2004.

3 Jun 2004

GlaxoSmithKline statement on spat with Spitzer

GlaxoSmithKline has acted responsibly in conducting clinical studies in pediatric patients and disseminating data from those studies. All pediatric studies have been made available to the FDA and regulatory agencies worldwide.

3 Jun 2004

UK hospital waiting lists lowest in 4 years

Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Angela Smith MP, today welcomed the news that hospital inpatient and day case waiting lists have fallen to their lowest level for four years.

3 Jun 2004

New packaging could save lives

Because they are easier for adults to open, the containers will discourage the decanting of medicines into unsafe packaging – a practice which currently causes an estimated 10,000 cases/year of accidental poisoning in the UK, mostly involving small children.

3 Jun 2004

Democrats air their views on Medicare prescription drugs discount cards

On Tuesday the new Medicare prescription drugs discount cards went into effect. The enrollment process is so confusing, most seniors are not signing up for the cards. Those that have will quickly discover the cards don’t deliver the savings they were promised.

3 Jun 2004

China launches nationwide campaign to urge the public to take medicine in a safe way

China on Thursday launched a nationwide campaign to urge the public to take medicine in a safe way, in a bid to reduce increasing damages from excessive and inappropriate drug taking.

3 Jun 2004

Over-the-counter cream protects against jellyfish stings

Two dozen volunteers bravely exposed their arms to jellyfish tentacles as part of a new Stanford University School of Medicine study to test a topical, over-the-counter cream designed to protect against stinging nettles. Fortunately for the volunteers, the cream appeared to be relatively effective.

3 Jun 2004

150 top scientists debate and offer expert advice on cutting edge vaccine research

More than 150 top scientists, researchers and public health experts from around the world will meet in Switzerland next week to present, debate and offer expert advice on cutting edge vaccine research and development, as well as vaccine policy and implementation.

3 Jun 2004

Latest version of the Approved List of Biological Agents published

The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) today published the latest version of the Approved List of Biological Agents.('The Approved List').

3 Jun 2004

FDA investigates school lunch illness in Massachusetts

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are actively investigating what may have caused four outbreaks of illnesses in children related to meals served at several schools in Massachusetts.

3 Jun 2004

Lack of funding and staff in the UK hinders patient care

Doctors across the UK are leading innovative approaches to patient care but are blocked from developing their projects further by lack of funding and staff according to a new publication launched today (3 June) by the BMA.

3 Jun 2004

BMA to publish an A to Z of Doctors Making a Difference

The British Medical Association will today (Thursday 3 June 2004) publish an A to Z of Doctors Making a Difference. This UK-wide report illustrates how doctors are leading developments to increase patient care, improve access to services and enhance the patient experience.

3 Jun 2004