MedWorm: Royal College of General Practitioners

Royal College of GPs says Health and Social Care bill should be scrapped

the Mail online | Health — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:45:21 +0100

Members of the Royal College of General Practitioners have written to the Prime Minister declaring their outright opposition to the plans. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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Letter: Fragmenting the NHS

Telegraph Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:00:19 +0100

SIR - The Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) leaders who support the Health and Social Care Bill (Letters, January 28) do not represent the majority of GPs, who believe that the Bill will seriously damage patient care. More than 90 per cent of GPs polled by the Royal College of General Practitioners said that the Bill should be withdrawn. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Editorial: Safer prescribing for prisoners

NeLM - News — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: BMJ Area: News The author of this editorial discusses the recently published guideline on prescribing in prisons from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). He welcomes the guideline, however, also identifies areas which could have been further expanded on or given more attention, for example, the author notes that the guidelines "offer no advice on palliative care". (Source: NeLM - News)

New website launched for doctors with health concerns

MEDEV News — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:07:08 +0100

The General Medical Council is launching Your Health Matters, a new website for doctors who may be concerned about their own health or that of a colleague. This information provides the first step in this support, helping to provide timely information for doctors who may for health reasons be involved in the GMC's fitness to practise procedures. Clare Gerada, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners and Medical Director of Practitioner Health Programme The website provides case studies showing doctors with a range of health concerns, a testimonial from a doctor who has gone through fitness to practise procedures, and a range of advice on the process. Your Health Matters also provides detailed information about what happens to doctors who are referred to the GMC where the con...

Dementia care 'lacking' report finds

NHS News Feed — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0100

“Hospital staff 'lack skills to cope with dementia patients',” The Guardian has today reported. The newspaper says that the National Audit of Dementia has found that the care dementia patients receive is “impersonal” and that they “suffer boredom”. There are currently 750,000 people reported to have dementia in the UK, and it is estimated that there will be more than a million people with dementia in the UK by 2021. The report says that at any one time, up to a quarter of acute hospital beds are occupied by people over the age of 65 with dementia. The report says that people with dementia in hospital are more likely to belong to older age groups and more likely to need other mental and physical care. What is the basis for these current reports? The news stories have been pro...

RCGP Says Three Quarters Of Cancer Patients Referred Within A Month, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0100

According to a new report from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), in England three quarters of individuals with cancer symptoms are evaluated, examined and referred within one month of presenting their symptoms to their GP. The report, the first of its kind, is published by the RCGP's Clinical Innovation and Research Center (CIRC). The report details findings of the 2009/2010 National Audit of Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care which was conducted as part of the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Re-licensing of general practitioners using the current UK revalidation proposals: a cross sectional study

Postgraduate Medical Journal — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Overall, GPs reported a positive response to the RCGP revalidation proposals. Concerns were focused on collecting the newer types of supporting information and the ability of GPs non-principals to collect this evidence. GP revalidation training and preparation is required. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)

Colleges join forces to improve maternal care

Nursing in Practice — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:17:07 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have produced a joint statement on the important role of the GP in maternity care (Source: Nursing in Practice)

Self-management for young people with mental health conditions.

British Journal of Community Nursing — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: McMahon C Abstract Support for self-management of medical conditions is currently being advocated by the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention programme (QIPP), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), the King's Fund and elsewhere. While the principles of self-management remain the same for everyone, those working with young people with long-term conditions will know that they require support that is tailored to their needs, particularly young people with mental health conditions. PMID: 22067468 [PubMed - in process] (Source: British Journal of Community Nursing)

Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) conflicts of interest - careful planning needed

NeLM - News — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Source: NHS Confederation Area: News The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the NHS Confederation believe that if conflicts of interest in clinical commissioning groups are not managed effectively, the consequences could adversely undermine the confidence of regulators, providers, and patients in the system. These claims are made in a briefing paper from the RCGP Centre for Commissioning and the NHS Confederation that provides guidance for clinical commissioning groups on how to manage potential conflicts of interests. The briefing paper says that, with early intervention, good planning and governance, these risks can be mitigated. It summarises conversations with commissioners, providers, regulators and professional bodies about the real and perceived conf...

RCGP chair denies Cameron 'support' claim

Management in Practice — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:49:00 +0100

The Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has denied David Cameron’s claim it “fully backs” health reform plans (Source: Management in Practice)

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Royal College of General Practitioners launches guide to promote self-management of long-term conditions

Multiple Sclerosis Trust — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 23:00:00 +0100

A guide written for GPs throughout the UK to promote self-management amongst GP and their patients with long-term conditions. (Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust)

Royal College of General Practitioners launches guide to managing long term conditions

Multiple Sclerosis Trust — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners is urging family doctors in England to let patients with long term conditions take an active role in managing their own healthcare. (Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust)

RCGP launches GP patient guide

Management in Practice — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:43:00 +0100

A ‘one-stop shop’ guide designed to help patients get the most from their GP practice has been launched by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) (Source: Management in Practice)

RCGP launches "one stop shop" guide for patients

Multiple Sclerosis Trust — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

A "one stop shop" guide to help patients get the most from their GP practice has been launched by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). (Source: Multiple Sclerosis Trust)

RCGP and RPS joint statement: Breaking down the barriers - how community pharmacists and GPs can work together to improve patient care

NeLM - News — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Source: RPS Area: News The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) have published a joint statement detailing how GPs and community pharmacists can work together to improve the care provided to patients in the community. The statement sets out the background, summarises the evidence and makes recommendations for the benefits to patients of improved liaison between community pharmacists and general practitioners. (Source: NeLM - News)

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New quality standards for dermatology

NHS Networks — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

The document was developed by the British Association of Dermatologists, the British Dermatological Nursing Group, the Primary Care Dermatology Society, the Skin Care Campaign, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Psoriasis Association, the National Eczema Society and the British Society of Paediatric Dermatology. (Source: NHS Networks)

Quality standards for dermatology issued

NeLM - News — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Source: NHS Networks Area: News The British Association of Dermatologists, in association with the British Dermatological Nursing Group, the Primary Care Dermatology Society, the Skin Care Campaign, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Psoriasis Association, the National Eczema Society and the British Society of Paediatric Dermatology have published new standards for commissioners of dermatology services. The standards are intended for use in any service that provides care for people with skin conditions. Please see link for details. (Source: NeLM - News)

General practitioners, primary care and support for carers in England: can training make a difference?

Health and Social Care in the Community — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractAs a part of the national carers’ strategy, the Department of Health commissioned six pilot workshops spread across England for General Practitioners (GPs) and other primary healthcare workers. The six workshops were held during September and October 2009, arranged by the Royal College of General Practitioners and planned in consultation with the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. The workshops were delivered by one of two GPs and by a carer. The Department of Health commissioned an evaluation of the workshop programme. This paper reports on the attitudes towards and knowledge of carers by GPs and other primary care workers, such as community matrons, practice nurses, healthcare assistants, practice managers and receptionists. It also tracks changes over time from the questionnaire...

Skin conditions are the commonest new reason people present to general practitioners in England and Wales

British Journal of Dermatology — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Compared with other major disease groups, skin conditions are the most frequent reason for consultation in general practice. This result emphasizes the need for appropriate education and training for all medical students and particularly for continuing education in dermatology for all primary health care professionals. (Source: British Journal of Dermatology)

Skin conditions are the commonest new reason people present to general practitioners in England and Wales.

The British Journal of Dermatology — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

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Diagnosis, classification, and treatment of diabetes

BMJ Online First — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

A recent report from the Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS Diabetes suggests that the diagnostic classification of 10-15% of patients with diabetes in general practice may be inaccurate,... (Source: BMJ Online First)

Royal College Of General Practitioners Defends Practice Boundaries To Protect Patient Choice, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0100

When people are poorly they want to see a doctor close to home. We want to make this work for patients but we must make sure it works safely, and registering with a GP miles away from your home is not the best way of delivering safe and effective care. The RCGP is not against patient choice on GP registration but we believe that abolishing practice boundaries could seriously affect the safety of vulnerable patients; rural practices could be put at risk of closure, and home visiting could become very difficult... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

RCGP And RCN Publish Patient Charter For End Of Life Care, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners and Royal College of Nursing have released a new Charter for End of Life Care that marks out an ideal of best practice that all patients deserve from their primary healthcare team... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Charter for end of life care published by RCN and RCGP

Royal College of Nursing - UK- National News — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:07:27 +0100

The Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of General Practitioners have released a new charter for end of life care that sets out best practice standards that all patients deserve from their primary health care team. (Source: Royal College of Nursing - UK- National News)

Family Practice in Turkey:

Postgraduate Medicine Online — Sun, 15 May 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study was undertaken in 2008 in departments of family medicine at universities (n = 21) and training and research hospitals of the Ministry of Health (n = 11). Approximately 250 family practice residents in Turkey were approached. In total, 174 residents participated (70% response rate). The survey instruments included a questionnaire with 25 queries and 2 scales: The Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure and the Maslach Burnout Questionnaire–Human Services Survey. The average age of the participants was 32.2 years (standard deviation, 4.5 years; range, 24–57 years). The gender distribution was 57.6% women and 42.4% men. Marital status was 34.7% single, 62.9% married, and 2.4% divorced/wido...

Criticisms of health reform are "noticeably misinformed," say supporters

BMJ Online First — Thu, 12 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Defenders of Andrew Lansley’s health reforms in England have begun to find their voice. A week that began with a challenge from the Royal College of General Practitioners (BMJ 2011;342:d2947,... (Source: BMJ Online First)

Consortia leaders urge government to hold the line on reforms

NeLM - News — Tue, 10 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Source: NHS Networks Area: News Various news agencies have reported on a letter written to the Daily Telegraph by a group of chairpersons of GP consortia across England, expressing their support for the Coalition government's health reforms. The signatories, who argue that the proposed NHS changes will make the health service more effective and accountable, claim to represent 1100 practices and seven million patients across several consortia. Earlier this week the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) wrote to the Prime Minister calling for various areas of change or clarification to the Bill and subsequent legislation, to avoid "unravelling and dismantling" the NHS (please see NeLM report at the link below for details). (Source: NeLM - News)

'Flawed' Government Plans Could Compromise Patient Safety And The Medical Profession Argues Medical Royal College, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is warning that 'unintelligible' Government proposals to redesign the training received by the nation's doctors mark an 'unjustified revolution in medical education' which could compromise patient safety. The RCGP has told the Department of Health that it has 'very serious concerns' regarding the proposals to redesign medical training into a more 'bottom-up' system in a bid to reduce costs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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New Toolkit To Improve Quality Of Urgent And Emergency Care, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0100

A learning tool to support the quality of urgent and emergency care services for patients has been launched today at the Royal College of General Practitioners. The Urgent and Emergency Care Clinical Audit Toolkit, which has been extensively piloted , will help provide a seamless approach to promote quality care across a range of NHS services... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

BMJ discussion: Changes in the National Health Service

NeLM - News — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Source: BMJ Area: News The British Medical Journal has featured a discussion on the changes in the NHS, by prominent clinicians. The panel was made up of Michelle Drage, chief executive of BMA London-wide local medical committee and a general practitioner; Clare Gerada, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners; John Black, president of the Royal College of Surgeons; Anna Dixon, director of policy at the King's Fund, a health thinktank; and Nigel Edwards, acting chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represent managers. The following topics were discussed: . What is the greatest weakness in the NHS reforms? . Will GPs have the necessary tools to commission only high quality services? . Does GP led commissioning lead to closer working betwee...

Intercollegiate Statement On Children And Young People's Mental Health, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 09:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has joined with other organisations to call on the Government to recognise children's mental health services as a priority. A statement drawn up jointly by the RCPsych, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of General Practitioners and the Division of Clinical Psychology from the British Psychological Society, recognises the common concerns of health professionals who provide services for children and calls for five key actions... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Improving The Diagnosis, Classification And Coding Of Diabetes, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:00:00 +0100

A new report, launched by the Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS Diabetes, aims to improve the diagnosis, classification and coding of diabetes. It provides advice and support to all clinicians involved in this often complex diagnostic challenge as well as providing free, downloadable practice audit tools to aid accurate diagnosis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

RCGP and NHS Diabetes publish report aimed at improving the diagnosis, classification and coding of diabetes

NeLM - News — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Source: NHS Diabetes Area: News The Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS Diabetes have launched a report aimed at improving the diagnosis, classification and coding of diabetes, and provides advice and support for diagnosis. The report outlines: . The results of a systematic review examining existing evidence on misdiagnosis, misclassification and miscoding . The results of an analysis of two primary care databases of nearly one million patients establishing the extent of misdiagnosis, misclassification and miscoding . Pragmatic Guidelines for diagnosis and classification . Audit tools to improve diagnosis, classification and coding in clinical practice and the results of a pilot using them (Source: NeLM - News)

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Factors associated with age of onset and type of menopause in a cohort of UK women

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Age at natural menopause was younger in this cohort than in other studies. More associations were found for surgical menopause than early natural menopause. (Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Medical Myths: Can cough syrup cure a chesty bark?

Daily Express - Health — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

IF cough medicine actually worked, it would kill you, states Graham Archard, spokesman for the Royal College of General Practitioners and a GP himself. "Coughs are nature's way of getting rid of respiratory debris that shouldn't be there. (Source: Daily Express - Health)

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in primary care investigated by real-time PCR in England and Wales

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:45:12 +0100

Abstract Real-time PCR was employed to detect a conserved region of the P1 cytadhesin gene of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in combined nose and throat swabs collected from patients attending GP surgeries during 2005–2009 with symptoms of respiratory tract infection (RTI). Samples were collected as part of an annual winter epidemiological and virological linked study in England and Wales. A total of 3,987 samples were tested, 65 (1.7%, 95%CI 1.3–2.1) had detectable M. pneumoniae DNA. Positive patients were detected of both gender, aged from 9 months to 78 years, who had clinical signs of upper RTI, fever and/or myalgia, an influenza-like illness to lower RTI. Mixed infections were identified in four cases, two with influenza A H1, one with H3 and one with influenza B. ...

GPs offered diabetes research training

Management in Practice — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:16:00 +0100

A diabetes research training scheme for GPs has been launched as part of a joint venture between Diabetes UK and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). (Source: Management in Practice)

Is the oral contraceptive pill associated with fracture in later life? New evidence from the Royal College of General Practitioners Oral Contraception Study

Contraception — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Ever use of oral contraception was not associated with fracture in this study. (Source: Contraception)

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RCGP Questions Government Proposals On Patient Choice, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is warning that some Government suggestions on providing more choice in the NHS will cause long-term harm to patients and the NHS, particularly for vulnerable adults and at-risk children. The RCGP made the comments in its response to the Department of Health's consultation Liberating the NHS: Greater Choice and Control which closes this week... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Royal College Of Radiologists Responds To "Improving Outcomes: A Strategy For Cancer"

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:00:00 +0100

Dr Jane Barrett, President of the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), said, "The RCR applauds the Strategy's emphasis on providing patients with better and quicker radiotherapy and access to cancer drugs, and faster diagnosis. We are already working with the Royal College of General Practitioners to effect better access to scans for primary care. The RCR also is keen that the new cancer drugs system will incorporate the hard work already done to ensure treatment is based on the evidence base and on value for money. "These proposals will only happen with strong national leadership... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

High Risk People Need Flu Jabs More Than The "Worried Well", Says UK GP College

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), UK, states that although it is in favor of individuals wanting to protect their own health by "buying" the flu jab OTC (over-the-counter), it is crucial that the high risk groups, such as pregnant women, patients with weakened immune systems, people with asthma and some other conditions are vaccinated while supplies are limited. The RCGP stresses that a GP's job is to care for patients and not to legislate... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

RCGP issues statement on flu jabs for people not in key risk groups

Management in Practice — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:53:00 +0100

There is no problem with people wanting to protect their own health by choosing to buy the 'flu jab over the counter says the Royal College of General Practitioners. (Source: Management in Practice)

[Perspectives] Clare Gerada: Chair of UK's Royal College of General Practitioners

LANCET — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 01:25:56 +0100

Clare Gerada is the first female chair of the UK's Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) for more than half a century, and enters the role at one of the most challenging times in the history of the profession. The UK Government's plans to hand over commissioning of services and accompanying large budgets to GPs have been denounced by some, and cautiously welcomed by others. As RCGP chair, Gerada will be at the forefront of the profession's responses to these major challenges. (Source: LANCET)

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RCGP Comment On High Speed 2 Rail Link

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Hilary De Lyon, Chief Executive of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "It has been brought to the College's attention that there may be a risk to our property on Euston Road and the northern part of Melton Street in London due to the proposed refurbishment of Euston Station to make way for the High Speed 2 rail link. We acknowledge that at this stage the plans are very outline and that significant consultation will take place on the preferred route and that, should the project go ahead, the Euston Station enlargement will be subject to the normal rigorous planning process... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

RCGP Response To Liberating The NHS: Legislative Framework And Next Steps, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Responding to Liberating the NHS: Legislative framework and next steps, Dr Clare Gerada, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), said: "We are pleased the Government has responded to some of our members concerns such as the need to engage with other clinicians and patient groups. "We welcome that GPs are still central to the planning of health services for their patients and instrumental in leading the design of local services to deliver the best outcomes for patients. "However we still have a number of questions... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Increased Access To Scans For Primary Care

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:00:00 +0100

GPs and Radiologists have joined forces in a bid to make more diagnostic scans available to patients through their GP, helping improve patient care and reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment. In a joint statement, The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) announced they are working closely together to identify which scans can be most effectively provided within through GPs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

NPCi Blog: Are NICE recommendations about monitoring patients on orlistat being followed?

NeLM - News — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: NPC Area: News This NPCi blog appraises the findings of a small study (n= 84) presented at the Royal College of General Practitioners' annual conference that found two thirds of adults in one GP practice on orlistat for obesity continued to be prescribed the drug beyond three months even though they had failed to achieve sufficient weight loss. (NICE specifically recommends treatment is discontinued in such patients). The blog notes that this study is limited by its small sample size and only looked at orlistat prescribing in one GP practice. However, it should prompt healthcare professionals to review orlistat prescribing within their localities, in order to ensure that it is in line with NICE guidance, particularly as this is an area which offers opportunities for mai...

New RCGP Chair Outlines Key Priorities For 2011-2014

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Dr Clare Gerada, new Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), has outlined eight key priorities for her tenure. Dr Gerada begins her first week as Chair today, and her Priorities for Patient Care 2011-2014 include: - Preserving the role of the Generalist, - Extending the training of GPs from three to five years, and - Encouraging leadership in General Practice The RCGP's new Centre for Commissioning, which was announced in October and will be launched in December 2010, will be central to - supporting the delivery of health services for excellent patient care... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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New RCGP Strategy Emphasises Importance Of GP-led Child Health, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has launched a Child Health Strategy to reassert the key central role of the GP in the care of children and young people. The RCGP firmly believes that general practice occupies a central position in children and young people's health, particularly in the diagnosis and management of illness and promotion of health and wellbeing. The College is concerned that unless the profession acts now to protect this important and trusted role, it will become eroded and lead to serious fragmentation of care for this vulnerable group of patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

National Pathology Week 1-7 November, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) have called for more laboratory test results to be made directly available to patients. To launch National Pathology Week 2010 (1-7 November), both Colleges have agreed this stance. Laboratory test results are currently delivered to the health service professional who requested the test, who then interprets the results and their implications before discussing the result with the patient. Both Colleges agree some laboratory test results should be sent directly to patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

RCGP Launches Toolkit For Primary Care Federations, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 08:00:00 +0100

An online toolkit to support GP practices in forming federations has been launched by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). The Primary Care Federations Toolkit has been produced in partnership with The King's Fund, The Nuffield Trust, and Hempsons Solicitors. The Federated Model sees GP practices joining together in partnerships to share resources and skills and offer more choice and services to local patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

GMC concerned about support for doctors in training - major survey shows overall satisfaction but highlights key concerns

MEDEV News — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 06:26:06 +0100

The General Medical Council has highlighted some significant concerns over aspects of medical training while welcoming the fact that most junior doctors say their training is either good or excellent. Overall the standards of training in the UK remain high and that is reflected in what these young doctors and the consultants who train them have told us. Niall Dickson, GMC Chief Executive The GMC was reacting to its survey of medical trainees and trainers which reported high levels of satisfaction with their education but also raised concerns around limited time for training, often because of unfilled posts. Some trainee doctors also reported that they were being asked to take on tasks beyond their competence. There was also some concern about the impact of the European Working Time Reg...

RCGP To Launch Centre For Commissioning, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 07:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has announced the creation of a new centre for commissioning, in partnership with the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement. The centre will be launched in December and will be integral in helping GPs and emerging GP consortia develop the skills, competencies and expertise required to deliver effective service development and clinical leadership... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Eating less meat could save 45,000 lives a year, experts claim

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:30:00 +0100

Cutting meat consumption to 210g a week would hugely reduce deaths from heart disease and cancer, research showsMore than 45,000 lives a year could be saved if everyone began eating meat no more than two or three times a week, health experts and Friends of the Earth claim today.Widespread switching to low-meat diets would stop 31,000 people dying early from heart disease, 9,000 from cancer and 5,000 from strokes, according to new analysis of British eating habits by public health expert Dr Mike Rayner contained in an FoE report.Dramatically reduced meat consumption would also save the NHS £1.2bn and help reduce climate change and deforestation in South America, where rainforests are being chopped down to grow animal feed and graze cows which are exported to Europe, the report states.Eatin...

RCGP Releases Online Demo For Revalidation ePortfolio

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 09:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has released an online presentation covering all the key functions of its new Revalidation ePortfolio. The presentation, which can be viewed here, takes viewers through the process of entering supporting information for enhanced appraisal and revalidation. It demonstrates the unique dashboard feature - an at-a-glance overview of the progress of the GP towards the 12 areas of appraisal and revalidation. The video also explains how the college has currently modified the tool so it can be used for appraisal from December 2010... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Future RCGP leader issues warning on 'market expansion'

HSJ — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:54:16 +0100

The government’s planned expansion of the “any willing provider” is the biggest issue concerning GPs, according to the chair elect of the Royal College of General Practitioners. (Source: HSJ)

Rose-Hunt Award 2010: The RACGP's Most Prestigious Honour Awarded To Dr Eric Fisher, NSW, Australia

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:00:00 +0100

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has recognised the outstanding commitment to Australian general practice made by Dr Eric Fisher, a general practitioner from Northbridge NSW, awarding him with the RACGP's most prestigious honour: the Rose-Hunt Award. The Rose-Hunt Award is a medal named after two of the founding members of the Royal College of General Practitioners in the United Kingdom, Dr Fraser Rose and Dr John Hunt, and is a gift to the RACGP from the UK college... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

GPs reminded about NICE guidance on use of beta-blockers in heart failure

NeLM - News — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Source: NICE Area: News NICE published updated guidance on chronic heart failure in August 2010, recommending the use of both ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers in all patients with heart failure due to left ventricular dysfunction (including older patients and those with peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, interstitial pulmonary disease, erectile dysfunction and COPD without reversibility). However, there is a reluctance among GPs to prescribe beta-blockers because of the history of side-effects, according to Dr Ahmet Fuat, a GP and a member of the NICE heart failure guideline group, who was speaking at the Royal College of General Practitioners annual conference. He warned of a misconception around the use of beta-blockers which requires a lot of educating to overcome and stressed "we ...

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Optimizing antibiotic prescribing in primary care settings in the UK: findings of a BSAC multi-disciplinary workshop 2009

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:39:50 +0100

Several UK resources, including the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Clinical Knowledge Summaries, the Infection Specialist Library, the HPA Management of Infection Guide, the Map of Medicine and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) web site, produce primary care antibiotic prescribing guidance. A BSAC 2009 workshop aimed to discuss how guidance could be best translated into practice using public and professional educational programmes. Workshop participants were asked to consider approaches within the context of a behaviour change model, in which readiness to change is recognized as a product of the individual's perception of the importance of change (the ‘why' of change; ‘Why should I change my antibiotic prescribing’) and their...

RCGP Submits White Paper Response, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 07:00:00 +0100

GPs support stronger clinical leadership for commissioning services for patients, but training, time and resources are necessary to make it a success, says the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in its response to the Health White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

GPs have significant concerns around 'scale, pace and cost' of NHS reforms

HSJ — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:05:00 +0100

GPs support the government’s plans for clinical commissioning but warn the “scale, pace and cost” of the reforms may not be justified, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners. (Source: HSJ)

RCGP launches guide on meeting the healthcare needs of veterans

NeLM - News — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Source: NHS Networks Area: News The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), The Royal British Legion and Combat Stress have launched guidance to support GPs in identifying and meeting the healthcare needs of veterans more effectively - including accessing the priority treatment to which all veterans are entitled for service-related conditions. Please see link below for details. (Source: NeLM - News)

Meeting the healthcare needs of veterans: a guide for general practitioners

The Kings Fund - Health Management Specialist Collection — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:10:01 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners, The Royal British Legion and Combat Stress have launched guidance to support GPs in identifying and meeting the healthcare needs of veterans more effectively - including accessing the priority treatment to which all veterans are entitled for service-related conditions. (The British Legion - news) (Source: The Kings Fund - Health Management Specialist Collection)

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GP Commissioning - Is This Reality Or Rhetoric?

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Participants in the second NHS Alliance Listening Event warned that the Government will need to get the deal right for GP Consortia to ensure that the changes suggested in the White Paper can deliver an NHS that is run as the Department of Health have committed to, to be run from the consulting room rather than the Department of Health HQ. Over 100 GPs and managers attended the event, held in Wetherby on 14th of September, which was organised by the NHS Alliance in association with the Royal College of General Practitioners... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Developing and validating a tool for assessment of pharmacist prescribers' consultations

Family Practice — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:18:19 +0100

Conclusions. The PharmaCAT has been tested in the pharmacist prescriber setting. The tool had discriminatory power across different domains and inter-rater reliability. The PharmaCAT has potential to be used as a formative and/or summative assessment tool. (Source: Family Practice)

RCGP Releases White Paper Framework And Commissioning Paper, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has released a Framework to inform its formal response to the Health White Paper. This comes following the RCGP Council meeting on 10 September in which Council considered a paper summarising members' feedback to date on the RCGP consultation. The Framework captures the opportunities and concerns contained in the responses received to date and summarises the extensive debate held by Council. The Framework is based on an overview of members' responses, set in the context of the College's vision, purpose, values and priorities... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

'Statins with your burger?' Doctors want heart pills on menu

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:07:00 +0100

Cardiologists propose putting pills beside salt and ketchup to balance heart disease riskMcDonald's, Burger King and other fast food outlets should offer diners free drugs to compensate for the risk of heart disease, cardiologists proposed today.If burger joints offered cholesterol-lowering statins, customers would offset the unhealthy effects of a cheeseburger and milkshake, according to researchers at Imperial College London.The pills could be placed beside the salt, pepper and tomato ketchup to encourage people to pop one after their meal.The suggestion is made in a paper by Dr Darrel Francis, a cardiologist at Imperial's National Heart and Lung Institute, and colleagues published in the American Journal of Cardiology.The idea was criticised by leading doctors, who said the study could ...

Statins with your burger?

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:07:00 +0100

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CKS review: Hepatitis B

NeLM - Guidelines — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Source: Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) Area: Evidence > Guidelines This CKS topic covers the prevention of hepatitis B in people at high risk of infection, the diagnosis of acute and chronic hepatitis, and the primary care management of people with suspected or confirmed hepatitis B. This CKS topic is based on guidelines published by the Department of Health, the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, the Health Protection Agency, and the Royal College of General Practitioners. (Source: NeLM - Guidelines)

Saturday 7 - Monday 9 August

Royal College of Nursing News Alert — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, has criticised the public's attitude to food, alcohol and cigarettes which he claims is causing growing levels of disease and early death. He backs the call by Andrew Lansley, Health Secretary, for people to take more responsibility for protecting their health. He also said that parents who smoke near their children at home or in cars are committing a form of child abuse, adding that parents should take more responsibility. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)

Smoking In Front Of Kids And Giving Them Junk Foods Condemns Them To A Life Of Diseases, And Even Premature Death

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:00:00 +0100

Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the RCGP (Royal College of General Practitioners), representing 42,000 primary care physicians (GPs) says that parents who smoke in front of their kids and feed them junk foods are condemning a whole generation to a lifetime of heart disease, diabetes, and possibly even premature death. Prof. Field urges parents to become aware of the impact their own personal behaviors have on their children. It is only by becoming healthy role models that their offspring can live long, healthy and fulfilling lives... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The quality, safety and content of telephone and face-to-face consultations: a comparative study

Quality and Safety in Health Care — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:53:45 +0100

Conclusion Although telephone consultations are convenient and judged satisfactory by patients and doctors, they may compromise patient safety more than face-to-face consultations and further research is required to elucidate this. Telephone consultations may be more suited to follow-up and management of long-term conditions than for in-hours acute management. (Source: Quality and Safety in Health Care)

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Impact of lifestyle in middle-aged women on mortality: evidence from the Royal College of General Practitioners' Oral Contraception Study.

The British Journal of General Practice — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Assuming a causal relationship between lifestyle and mortality, avoidance of four lifestyle risk factors would have prevented 60% of the deaths. The importance of avoiding smoking and undertaking physical inactivity during midlife should continue to be emphasised. PMID: 20822689 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The British Journal of General Practice)

RCGP Announces Departure Of Chief Executive Hilary De Lyon, England

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Hilary De Lyon, Chief Executive of the Royal College of General Practitioners will shortly be leaving the College. She has been selected for Ordination as a minister in the Church of England. RCGP Chairman Professor Steve Field said: "Hilary has been our Chief Executive for over seven years, having joined the College in November 2002. She has led the College, working closely with my predecessors and me, over a period of great change... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

BMJ Study On Ovarian Cancer Wins Prestigious Award

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:00:00 +0100

A study on ovarian cancer published by the BMJ has won the 2009 Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research Paper of the Year Award. It is the eighth BMJ study to win this prestigious award since 2000. The Research Paper of the Year Award is now in its thirteenth year. Its main aim is to raise the profile of research in general practice and primary care... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

RCGP Announces Changes To The MRCGP Exam, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has announced a number of changes to the MRCGP Exam, taking effect from September 2010. Following a rigorous review of the exam in the summer of 2009, the changes will affect the Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) and Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) components of the MRCGP. Dr Sue Rendel, RCGP Chief Examiner said: "The MRCGP is now well established as the licensing exam marking the satisfactory completion of GP training in the UK... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Cancer pain: part 1: Pathophysiology; oncological, pharmacological, and psychological treatments: a perspective from the British Pain Society endorsed by the UK Association of Palliative Medicine and the Royal College of General Practitioners

Palliative Care JournalClub - Selected Articles — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:06:11 +0100

Pain Med 2010;11(5):742-64 (Source: Palliative Care JournalClub - Selected Articles)

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Antidepressant use rises as recession feeds wave of worry

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:13:29 +0100

Prescriptions have doubled in decade, NHS figures show, with doctors warning drugs are covering for counselling shortageThe number of antidepressants prescribed by the NHS has almost doubled in the last decade, and rose sharply last year as the recession bit, figures reveal.The health service issued 39.1m prescriptions for drugs to tackle depression in England in 2009, compared with 20.1m in 1999 – a 95% jump. Doctors handed out 3.18m more prescriptions last year than in 2008, almost twice the annual rise seen in preceding years, according to previously unpublished statistics released by the NHS's Business Services Authority.The increase is thought to be due in part to improved diagnosis, reduced stigma around mental ill-health and rising worries about jobs and finances triggered by the ...

Antidepressant use rose during recession

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:13:29 +0100

Millions 'lending' prescription drugs, research reveals

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 29 May 2010 23:06:11 +0100

• Lloyds Pharmacy survey shows old people and those on low incomes most likely to share prescribed drugs • Royal College of General Practitioners warns of risks of giving wrong drug to wrong personIll people are risking their lives by taking drugs such as heart tablets and painkillers that were prescribed for friends or family.More than a million people a year are using medications intended for someone else without seeking advice from their GP, new research reveals.Professor Steve Field, the leader of Britain's family doctors, last night urged those who share medicines to stop before someone died as a result. "The sharing of drugs in this way is inherently dangerous because neither the patient who was first prescribed the medication nor the person now taking them will understand the dr...

Telemedicine ‘Potentially Unsafe’?

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Tue, 25 May 2010 10:53:16 +0100

“There was a news article which came out over the weekend which described the results of a systematic review by members of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners in the United Kingdom. I tried looking on both the RCP and the RCGP’s web sites, but couldn’t find a link to [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Cancer Pain: Part 2: Physical, Interventional and Complimentary Therapies; Management in the Community; Acute, Treatment-Related and Complex Cancer Pain: A Perspective from the British Pain Society Endorsed by the UK Association of Palliative Medicine and the Royal College of General Practitioners

Pain Medicine — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. It is recognized that the World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder, whilst providing relief of cancer pain towards the end of life for many sufferers world-wide, may have limitations in the context of longer survival and increasing disease complexity. To complement this, it is suggested that a more comprehensive model of managing cancer pain is needed that is mechanism-based and multimodal, using combination therapies including interventions where appropriate, tailored to the needs of an individual, with the aim to optimize pain relief with minimization of adverse effects. (Source: Pain Medicine)

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Cancer Pain: Part 1: Pathophysiology; Oncological, Pharmacological, and Psychological Treatments: A Perspective from the British Pain Society Endorsed by the UK Association of Palliative Medicine and the Royal College of General Practitioners

Pain Medicine — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. It is recognized that the World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder, while providing relief of cancer pain towards the end of life for many sufferers worldwide, may have limitations in the context of longer survival and increasing disease complexity. To complement this, it is suggested that a more comprehensive model of managing cancer pain is needed that is mechanism-based and multimodal, using combination therapies including interventions where appropriate, tailored to the needs of an individual, with the aim to optimize pain relief with minimization of adverse effects. (Source: Pain Medicine)

Obituary: John Pemberton

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:59:08 +0100

Epidemiologist with a key role in social and preventive medicineJohn Pemberton, who has died aged 97, was an epidemiologist prominent in social and preventive medicine, and in the international dissemination of research in the field. His interest manifested itself early. In 1934, while still a medical student, he published a paper entitled Malnutrition in England. During the Jarrow marches of 1936, John met some of the marchers, helping to feed them and tending their feet. This experience, along with his contacts with Jerry Morris, Somerville Hastings (president of the Socialist Medical Association), Philip D'Arcy Hart and FAE Crew (later professor of social medicine at Edinburgh University) reinforced his belief in the importance of social and environmental factors in the aetiology o...

Royal College Of General Practitioners To Create Landmark Premises For Members, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

The RCGP is creating a new, state-of-the-art facility for its members. The College's new headquarters will be in Euston Road, close to Euston Station, and will offer a 300-seat auditorium, conferencing facilities, a clinical skills assessment centre, members' study areas and modern facilities for the College staff. The facility will open in autumn 2012. Dr Colin Hunter, RCGP Honorary Treasurer, said: "Our new headquarters in Euston are stunning and will provide fantastic facilities for members... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

RCGP Workshops Put Patient Access First

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Over 1,200 GPs and practice managers have attended the Royal College of General Practitioners' (RCGP) 'Achieving a Responsive Practice' workshops, to help make practices more responsive to patient need. Ten workshops have been held, one per Strategic Health Authority region, to help equip 500 practices with skills, knowledge and confidence to implement changes in their practice that improve access and responsiveness... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

British Psychological Society Calls For Better Access To Therapy

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Commenting on the Royal College of General Practitioners survey showing that only 15 per cent of family doctors can usually get psychological therapy for adults who need it within two months of referral, Dr Jenny Taylor, Chair of the Society's Division of Clinical Psychology, said: "The British Psychological Society fully endorses and actively supports Mind and Lord Layard in their campaign to ensure that, by the end of the next term of government, all people who would benefit are able to access evidence-based psychological therapies... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Royal College Of General Practitioners Launches UK-Wide Manifesto For Patient Care

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners publishes its UK-wide manifesto outlining some recommendations for the future of high quality care for patients, for whichever party is elected following this year's general election. Leading the Way: High Quality Care For All Through General Practice, makes a number of proposals designed to produce a healthier society and promote healthier lifestyles... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

RCGP sets out post election wish list

HSJ — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:58:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners has called for longer consultation times and longer GP training in a manifesto targeted at whichever party wins the election. (Source: HSJ)

"General Practice Is The Key To Cost-effective Care" Says Royal College Of General Practitioners Chariman, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners has called for patient care to be top of the agenda for all political parties in the run up to the General Election. In an editorial published in this month's issue of Total Politics magazine, Professor Field highlights the cost-effectiveness of general practice, as the political parties square up for government in unprecedented financial difficulties... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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The Pill 'does not raise death risk'

NHS News Feed — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:21:00 +0100

Conclusion This study followed a large number of women who had taken the contraceptive pill over 39 years. It showed that there was a small decrease in mortality rates for women who had ever used the Pill compared to those who had never used it. However, there are several things to consider when interpreting these results, many of which the researchers highlight: Medical diseases and risk factors may have differed between the two groups of women but were not adjusted for in the analyses. A lack of adjustment for medical history may have influenced the results as the oral contraceptive pill is not suitable for all women as a number of medical factors make taking the Pill undesirable or unsafe, including a history of vascular disease (e.g. deep vein thrombosis, DVT), past strokes or mi...

Mortality among contraceptive pill users: cohort evidence from Royal College of General Practitioners' Oral Contraception Study

BMJ Online First — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:10:42 +0100

Objective To see if the mortality risk among women who have used oral contraceptives differs from that of never users. Design Prospective cohort study started in 1968 with mortality data supplied by... (Source: BMJ Online First)

Prospective cohort study investigates mortality among contraceptive pill users

NeLM - News — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study reports the latest mortality findings from the Royal College of General Practitioners' (RCGP) Oral Contraception Study, based on up to 39 years of follow-up. The RCGP Oral Contraception Study started in May 1968 and is cited by the researchers as one of the biggest ongoing pieces of research into the health effects of oral contraceptives (OC). The study involves 1400 general practices across the UK and at time of reporting the study observed 46,112 women for up to 39 years, resulting in 378,006 woman years of observation among never users of oral contraception and 819,175 among ever users. The main outcome measures of the study are directly standardised adjusted relative risks between never and ever users for all cause and cause specific mortality. The following results are repo...

First Results On National Medicine Use Review Audit - Royal Pharmaceutical Society Of Great Britain

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Eighty percent of the patients who took part in the first audit of Medicine Use Reviews (MUR) said their knowledge on medicines and how to use them had improved because of an MUR. This was just one of the new findings following a national online audit which launched six months ago so that Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) and pharmacists could review the MUR patient service. The project is a partnership between the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Clinical Audit Support Centre Limited... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

RPSGB publishes results on national MUR audit

NeLM - News — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: RPSGB Area: News The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) has published the results of a survey of pharmacists, general practitioners, primary care organisations (PCOs) and patients on their views of the 'Medicines Use Review' (MUR) service. According to the audit, 80% of the patients who took part in the first audit of MUR said their knowledge on medicines and how to use them had improved because of an MUR. The national online audit was launched 6 months ago so that PCOs and pharmacists could review the MUR patient service. The project is a partnership between the RPSGB, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Clinical Audit Support Centre Limited. Results are published on the website www.qi4pd.org.uk and are split into com...

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Marmot Review - Fair Society, Healthy Lives - Royal College Of General Practitioners Response, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

The publication of Sir Michael Marmot's report - Fair Society, Healthy Lives - is a significant contribution to the debate surrounding how we can best address the problem of health inequalities. As Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners and of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Health Inequalities Forum, I welcome this national focus. It is not right or acceptable that people living in the poorest areas of England can expect to suffer about 17 more years of ill health and disability than those in wealthier areas... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Scotland's GPs Call For More Support To Build New Surgeries In Growing Communities

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

GP leaders have called on the Scottish Government to create new measures to support the development of new GP practices in growing communities. The calls came from the BMA and Royal College of General Practitioners at the start of the first ever National General Practice Week in Scotland (8 - 12 February 2010). Scotland's population is expected to rise by 7% to 5.54million by 2033. Nineteen of the 32 council areas in Scotland are projected to increase, although growth in populations is likely to be unevenly spread... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Recommendations To Improve GP Out Of Hours Services, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

A report into GP Out-Of-Hours care that makes a number of recommendations for improving the system was published by the Department of Health. The report, 'General Practice Out of Hours Services,' follows a review by Dr David Colin-Thome, National Clinical Director for Primary Care at the Department of Health and Professor Steve Field, Chairman of Council, Royal College of General Practitioners. The review looked at current arrangements for out-of-hours services... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Family Doctors Unveil Unique 10-Year Vision To Tackle Challenges Head On, Northern Ireland

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Family doctors in Northern Ireland unveiled on Wednesday a unique 10-year vision in a major bid to tackle healthcare challenges head on - and provide patients with continued access to the best possible services. The Future of General Practice strategy, compiled jointly between the British Medical Association (BMA(NI)) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP(NI)) in Northern Ireland, examines current health service challenges such as diminishing resources and increasingly complex health needs of patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Demand for ban on man-made trans fats

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:05:37 +0100

Trans fats found in thousands of foodstuffs boost levels of 'bad' cholesterol, increasing heart attack risk, says facultyDr Alan Maryon-Davis: Why trans fats should be bannedLeading doctors are demanding a complete ban on the use of man-made fats found in thousands of foodstuffs such as biscuits, ready meals and margarine, because they can damage health.The UK Faculty of Public Health is urging ministers to eradicate artificial trans fatty acids, known as trans fats, from the British diet. The move is needed to reduce people's risk of suffering a heart attack or a stroke, says the faculty, which represents 3,300 doctors and public health specialists in the NHS, local government and medical research.Trans fats, found in many cakes, pastries, pies, chips and fast foods, are chemically altere...

Call for ban on trans fats in food

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:05:37 +0100

Conferences: King's Fund Spring conferences

NHS Networks — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:29:42 +0100

Approaches to demand management: Commissioning in a cold climate 2 March 2010, 9.30am-4.00pm, The King’s Fund, London This conference will focus on approaches to demand management and commissioning in a difficult financial climate. The conference will feature practical examples of referral management alongside other demand management initiatives relevant to commissioners. Keynote speaker: Bob Ricketts, Director of System Management and New Enterprise, Department of Health Equality and inequality in health: Measuring and commissioning for equity 11 March 2010, 9.30am-4.15pm, The King’s Fund, London This low-cost conference will focus on measuring and commissioning for equitable health care services. The conference will offer an update on how policy on inequalities and equ...

Weekly pandemic flu media update (8th January 2009)

NeLM - News — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Health Protection Agency Area: News According to the most recent update from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), most indicators show that flu activity is continuing to decrease across the UK (the indicators may have however been influenced by the holiday period). According to data from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme, the consultation rate for flu-like illness in England has decreased to 11.2 per 100,000 in week 53 compared to 12.7 in week 52. This is below the English baseline threshold of 30/100,000, and therefore the trend estimates previously produced on a weekly basis are no longer appropriate. For further details, please see the link below. (Source: NeLM - News)

Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:17:45 +0100

The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme has decreased to 12.7 per 100,000 in week 52 compared to 24.7 in week 51. This is below the English baseline threshold of 30/100,000. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

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Weekly swine flu update (31 December 2009)

NeLM - News — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health (DH) Area: News According to the latest weekly update from the Department of Health, most indicators show that swine flu activity is continuing to decrease across the UK. Some caution must be exercised, however, as the indicators may be influenced by the holiday period. The update also states that: . The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme has decreased to 12.7 per 100,000 in week 52 compared to 24.7 in week 51. This is below the English baseline threshold of 30/100,000. . The estimated cases self referring to the National Pandemic Flu Service have shown decreases in all areas of assessments, authorisations and collections, across all regions and a...

Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:45:59 +0100

Drive to prevent 10,000 cancer deaths

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:00:00 +0100

Every surgery to get new software that spots early symptoms and predicts riskGPs are to start predicting whether a patient has the early symptoms of cancer using a computer program that calculates risk, under plans to prevent the 10,000 unnecessary deaths a year caused by late diagnosis.The new approach by the NHS means that doctors will tell patients their percentage chance of having cancer, based on factors like their age, weight and symptoms such as bleeding or sudden weight loss.Professor Mike Richards, the government's cancer tsar, who unveiled the move in an interview with the Guardian, said that within five years every GP in England should be using the software as part of a new drive to reduce the huge toll of avoidable cancer deaths.Computer-assisted cancer risk assessment will hel...

Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:21:35 +0100

The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme has decreased to 24.7 per 100,000 in week 51 compared to 29.7 in week 50. This is below the English baseline threshold of 30/100,000. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

RCN Calls For An End To The Detention Of Immigrant Children, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has echoed concerns raised in an intercollegiate statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of General Practitioners and the Faculty of Public Health - Significant Harm - the effects of administrative detention on the health of children, young people and their families... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:57:23 +0100

• The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme has decreased slightly to 33.1 per 100,000 in week 49 compared to 38.6 in week 48. This remains above the English baseline threshold of 30/100,000. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

Flowchart for triage: swine flu patients

NHS Networks — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:43:21 +0100

The Department of Health and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) have produced a flowchart to assist GP receptionists to determine which symptomatic swine flu patients should be seen most urgently - particularly in the case of patients referred by the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) Flowchart for Triage: Swine Flu Patients, for GP Practice Managers and Receptionists (PDF, 53KB) (Source: NHS Networks)

Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:53:50 +0100

The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme has decreased slightly to 38.6 per 100,000 in week 48 compared to 39.2 in week 47. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

Flowchart for GP practice managers and receptionists on triaging patients with swine flu

NeLM - News — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health (DH) Area: News The Department of Health and the Royal College of General Practitioners have produced a flowchart to assist GP receptionists to determine which symptomatic swine flu patients should be seen most urgently, particularly in the case of patients referred by the National Pandemic Flu Service. (Source: NeLM - News)

Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:11:59 +0100

The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme has increased slightly to 39.2 per 100,000 in week 47 compared to 35.9 in week 46. This remains above the English baseline threshold of 30/100,000. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

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Swine flu update: Cases drop in England

NeLM - News — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health (DH) Area: News The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme decreased to 36.0 per 100,000 in week 45 compared to 37.7 in week 44. HPA modelling gives an estimate of 64,000 new cases in England last week (range 32,000 to 140,000), which represents a 24% decrease on the previous week. Interpretation of data to produce estimates on the number of new cases continues to be subject to a considerable amount of uncertainty. The HPA estimates a cumulative total number of cases of 668,000 (range 313,000 to 1,382,000) since the pandemic began. The main burden of flu-like illness nationally in week 45 is in the <1 and 1-4 years age groups. Antiviral collection numb...

Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:55:40 +0100

The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme decreased to 36.0 per 100,000 in week 45 compared to 37.7 in week 44. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

‘Paediatric primary clinicians’ to take over children's healthcare

Nursing Times Breaking News — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:59:00 +0100

A plan to take childcare away from family GPs and give it to a new breed of NHS ‘paediatric primary clinicians’ has angered the Royal College of General Practitioners. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

Breaking Down The Barriers: GPs And Pharmacists Launch Joint Inquiry

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0100

A new Inquiry has been jointly launched by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) to encourage closer integrated working between the two professions, locally and nationally. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Breaking down the barriers: GPs and Pharmacists launch joint Inquiry

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:09:49 +0100

RPSGB and RCGP launch Inquiry to encourage closer integrated working between the two professions

NeLM - News — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: RPSGB Area: News The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), in association with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) have launched an inquiry to examine ways in which the two professions can work more closely. The Inquiry will examine: . current barriers to integrated working . arrangements that could be put in place to facilitate more effective working in primary care . existing examples of good partnership between GPs and pharmacists; . benefits for patients. The initial results from the Inquiry are expected to be published at the end of December, with a final report being released in February 2010. (Source: NeLM - News)

DH: Women doctors - making a difference

MEDEV News — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This report, presented to the Chief Medical Officer by Baroness Deech, the chair of the National Working Group on Women in Medicine, focuses on the role of female doctors and current barriers that prevent them from furthering their careers. n a chapter of his 2006 Annual Report, the Chief Medical Officer considered the implications of the recent increase in the number of women entering medical school, a figure that has risen from 492 in 1960/61 to 4,583 in 2008/09. Among other effects, this has created demand for improved flexibility of working hours, meant changes to career expectations and led to new challenges for workforce planning. Despite this large increase in the number of women entering medical school, there remains an under-representation of women in senior grades of the medica...

Royal College Of General Practitioners Launches Groundbreaking 'ante-mortal' End Of Life Care Strategy, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has published a groundbreaking new UK-wide strategy aimed at fundamentally improving the standards of care for those in the last stages of life. Development of the RCGP End of Life Care Strategy has been led by Professor Keri Thomas, RCGP Clinical Champion in End of Life Care. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

General Practice Foundation launched

Nursing in Practice — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:43:58 +0100

Royal College of General Practitioners launches General Practice Foundation, an initiative to support the professional development of primary care teams (Source: Nursing in Practice)

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RCGP launches 'ante-mortal' End of Life Care Strategy

NeLM - Palliative care — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: RCGP Area: News The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has published a new UK-wide strategy aimed at improving the standards of care for those in the last stages of life. The strategy identifies 10 recommended areas for further work, including the establishment of a new End of Life Care Working Group to oversee and report on their progress. The recommendations include: . Recognising and rewarding best practice . Reviewing and refinement of existing educational resources . Supporting research and development of best practice models . Endorsing the use of advance care planning . Improving out of hours palliative care . Strengthening team-working with nurses, as part of the primary healthcare team (Source: NeLM - Palliativ...

Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:43:37 +0100

The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme decreased to 37.7 per 100,000 in week 44 compared to 42.8 in week 43. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

GPs college invites practice nurses to join new foundation

Nursing Times Breaking News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:51:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners has unveiled its new section for practice nurses and other non-medical primary care staff. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

RCGP initiative targets nurses and practice managers

Pulse — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:40:00 +0100

The Royal College of General Practitioners has unveiled a new group aimed at supporting practice nurses, practice managers and physician assistants, as its annual conference opened in Glasgow. (Source: Pulse)

Nurses accused of professional protectionism

Nursing Times Breaking News — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners has criticised nurses for ‘professional protectionism’, saying they are undermining the development of a new type of medic. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

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Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:58:41 +0100

The flu-like illness rate in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme increased to 42.8 per 100,000 in week 43 compared to 39.1 in week 42. An increase was seen in all age groups. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

Women doctors: making a difference - report of the Chair of the National Working Group on Women in Medicine

MEDEV News — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

In a chapter of his 2006 Annual Report, the Chief Medical Officer considered the implications of the recent increase in the number of women entering medical school, a figure that has risen from 492 in 1960/61 to 4,583 in 2008/09. Among other effects, this has created demand for improved flexibility of working hours, meant changes to career expectations and led to new challenges for workforce planning. Despite this large increase in the number of women entering medical school, there remains an under-representation of women in senior grades of the medical profession. Whilst women account for between 44% and 59% of the workforce at other grades, at consultant level they still account for only 28%. In August 2008, the Chief Medical Officer asked Baroness Ruth Deech to chair a National Worki...

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Seasonality and trends in the incidence and prevalence of gout in England and Wales 1994-2007 [Clinical and epidemiological research]

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:02:18 +0100

Conclusion: The incidence of gout is seasonal. This has implications for the management of patients who currently have gout, and for those who are at risk of future attacks. The decreasing trend in the incidence of acute attacks suggests that patient management is improving. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)

Seasonality and trends in the incidence and prevalence of gout in England and Wales 1994-2007

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:02:18 +0100

Weekly pandemic flu media update

Health Protection Agency — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:39:38 +0100

The flu-like illness rate in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme increased to 26.3 per 100,000 in week 40. An increase was seen in most age groups. (Source: Health Protection Agency)