MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'hypocrisy'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:09:03 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482742&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F5y_sblTzvFk%2F By Jim HarperAnnouncing a new Senate subcommittee devoted to privacy, Senators Leahy (D-VT) and Franken (D-MN) said nothing about privacy threats from government. A "boom of new technologies over the last several years has . . . put an unprecedented amount of personal information into the hands of large companies that are unknown and unaccountable to the American public," Franken said, according to an AFP report. A boom of new technologies has put an unprecedented amount of personal information into the hands of the federal government---in some cases, illegally. It takes a lot of gall to point at commercial data collection from the atop the dunghill of federal privacy invasion. But there's a lot of gall to go around in Washington, D.C. Physician, Heal Thyself is a post from Cato @ Liberty ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482742 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:47:14 +0100 4482742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349496&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F-ayb1xioRpc%2F By David BoazAdvocates of limited government often worry about how to maintain republican government and freedom if a substantial portion of the population don’t pay taxes and are net beneficiaries of government largesse. Lately, it seems like a lot of the advocates of bigger government and higher taxes don’t pay their own taxes — like Tom Daschle, Timothy Geithner, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Charles Rangel, Al Franken, Governor David Paterson’s top aide, Democratic National Convention staffers, Al Sharpton, and so on. Now the Washington Post has found another one: Since joining the D.C. Council two years ago, Michael A. Brown has become the chief advocate for raising taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents, arguing that those who earn at least $250,000 a year ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349496 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:02:46 +0100 4349496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159213&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUvMHYcXEwgQ%2F By Sallie JamesLast week I urged readers to be on the lookout for Republicans seeking to exclude farm subsidies from any cuts they plan to make to federal spending. And it seems the first example of “smaller government for thee, but not for me” has been provided by incoming congresswoman Vicki Hartzler, who campaigned on a Tea Party-ish platform and defeated long-time congressman Ike Skelton (in Missouri’s 4th congressional district). Ms. Hartzler calls Margaret Thatcher her role model because she “took principled stands.” (As, indeed, she often did.) Ms. Hartzler also says economic issues — cutting government spending, complete repeal of the health care bill — are her main concern. But read the fine-print in this article from the St. Louis Be... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159213 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:23:04 +0100 4159213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3784239&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FeyOkz-Lp6CU%2F By Daniel J. MitchellIn the future, dictionary publishers should get rid of their existing definitions for “hypocrisy” and replace them with a photo of Massachusetts Sen.ator John Kerry. He’s just been caught committing the horrible sin of saving his family more than $500,000 by domiciling his new yacht in Rhode Island (which is a tax haven for such luxuries) rather than his home state. Or at least Senator Kerry says that tax planning is a horrible sin when conducted by “Benedict Arnold” companies and facilitated by those wicked tax havens. But I guess that it’s not such a bad thing when Senator Kerry is protecting his wealth. For the rest of us peasants, it’s our job to meekly get in line and submit to whatever taxes Senator Kerry graciously dec... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3784239 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:16:36 +0100 3784239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453889&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsRYR1PTv2zc%2F By Daniel J. MitchellEven though I’ve been in Washington almost 25 years, I am endlessly amazed at the chutzpah of people who support higher spending and bigger government while piously lecturing the rest of us about the need to control deficits. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is a good (though “bad” might be a better term) example of this hypocrisy. He was an avid supporter of bailouts and so-called stimulus, yet the Washington Post reports that he is now hectoring us to be fiscally responsible: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke warned Wednesday that Americans may have to accept higher taxes or changes in cherished entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security if the nation is to avoid staggering budget deficits that threaten to choke off economic growth. “Th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453889 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:40:54 +0100 3453889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796366&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Froast-swan-and-port.html  BMA House Dr Crippen: Is the BMA right to want to ban alcohol advertising?I joined the British Medical Association almost accidentally, as did most doctors. I wanted to receive its journal, the BMJ, and, when I was a student, the association offered a good value "membership and magazine" deal, so I signed up. And you know how it is with direct debits; you never get round to cancelling them. But the BMA is not my "trade union", it does not consult me about my views and it is not authorised to represent my views.The BMA's image is that of elderly medical crustacea who meet weekly to dine on roast swan, washed down with vintage port, before issuing yet another diktat about how less privileged folk should live their lives. The latest is that they want to ban alcohol advertising.There are... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796366 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:50:00 +0100 2796366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695419&cid=t_105221_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F13%2Fthe-situation-of-temptation%2F In early July, Drake Bennett had a terrific article in the Boston Globe, titlted “The nature of temptation: Why those who speak against vice so often fall for it.”  Here are some excerpts. * * * There are plenty of people who cheat on their spouses, plenty of people who hire prostitutes. It’s hardly unheard of for an office to be plagued by a boss sending sexually explicit emails to underlings, even much younger ones, or for a man to solicit sex in a public restroom or to hire a male prostitute and then buy drugs from him. In other words, it’s not just public figures with careers built around denouncing moral turpitude – crusading prosecutors like Eliot Spitzer, evangelical leaders like Ted Haggard, socially conservative politicians like Mark Foley, David Vitter and ... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695419 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:01:36 +0100 2695419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2469489&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fbalancing-nhs-budget.html …the NHS in England is set to run up a substantial surplus, for the second year running. Public health campaigners say it represents a fantastic opportunity for the health service to invest in innovative services to improve health.November 2008-the NHS has returned to financial balance, delivering a surplus of £510 million in 2006/07, and is on course to achieve a surplus in 2007/08.'June 2008All very encouraging you may think but then, suddenly:A report by NHS managers warns the health service will face the worst and most severe and sustained financial shortfall in its history after 2011. How should the NHS be funded?

The BBC has learned the NHS in England is facing a real-terms reduction of between £8 and 10bn in its budget over the three years after 2011.June 2009What is going ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2469489 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:41:00 +0100 2469489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441300&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fhenry-and-hermione-will-not-get-malaria.html They all look the sameRemember swine flu? You know, H1N1 Influenza A or whatever it was. You may have forgotten about it now, but it was all the rage last month. It was cured by MPs' expenses. And a motley crew I daresay these MPs all are, but add up the total amount philandered by our flexible friends in the House of Commons and it comes to less than the pension taken by Sir Fred Goodwin. And he was only one of the many bankers and city fat cats who had been ripping off our pension funds for years and who finally, ably assisted by Gordon Brown, brought our economy to it's knees by a level of greed that makes MPs look like Mother Teresa. But no one seems bothered. As Dizzy pointed out in his "quote of the day"Robert Mugabe starves his population to death. Nothing. The Janjawid commit genoc... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441300 Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 +0100 2441300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2416854&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fprince-and-pauper.html Why is it that the "great and the (not so) good" openly criticise rule breakers and yet feel that they themselves are not only above the rules but also beyond criticism?Details of Gordon Brown’s recent weekly meeting with the Queen have been leaked.The Queen has told Gordon Brown she is worried that the scandalous revelations about MPs' expenses could damage Parliament. She discussed the explosion of public outrage over the scandal in what is understood to have been a candid exchange of views when she met the Prime Minister for their weekly audience at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.SourceDoes Her Majesty not have any insight? Her income, expenditure and tax liabilities remain swathed in secrecy.  She now, grudgingly, pays some income tax, but let’s not mention inheritance tax. And she ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2416854 Sun, 17 May 2009 09:19:00 +0100 2416854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405135&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fstephen-fry-bi-polar-broadcasts.html Wat Tyler exposes a piece of fulminating hypocrisy from our much loved national treasure, Stephen Fry.Which Fry do you prefer? This one, or this one?The two Frys neatly bookend twelve years of New Labour government. The first, young and suave, but the second…well, what can I say? He looks shagged out. As is the government.Dr Crippen likes Stephen Fry. Who does not? But I do wish he would shut up about bi-polar illness. He seems to portray it as really rather fun. Maybe it is when you are a multi-millionaire celebrity and are being seen and treated by the private psychiatrist of your choice.  Life is not like that for my patients who suffer from this disease. How many of them get a routine head scan?I wish Fry would do a documentary on an “ordinary” citizen with bi-polar depression a... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405135 Tue, 12 May 2009 13:52:00 +0100 2405135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347964&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fmurdering-schoolchildren.html Over the last twelve years this government has spent millions of pounds of taxpayers' money on telling us how to live our lives. That trend continues.What has the dentulously implausible Melinda Messanger got to do with real life? The government spends millions telling us that vegetables "taste delicious" but try telling that to six year old faced with a plate of overcooked school cabbage. Or we could listen to slim, trim Charles ClarkeMr Clarke said the partnership of parents and school was "critical" in encouraging good health in children, with schools well placed to lead by example."Good health and effective learning go hand in hand. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind," he said.The government has already launched a £77m programme under which two million pupils are given a free piec... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347964 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:21:00 +0100 2347964 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2307022&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fjacqui-smith-and-mucky-movies.html One of the few good things to come out of the current economic crisis is that the three year pay cut awarded to nurses in April 2008 may now turn out to be a small pay rise. I hope so. It was a nasty piece of work. A three-year deal foisted on the nurses to silence them until after the next general electionGordon Brown wants to be re-elected in 2010. He does not want bad publicity from angry nurses during the election campaign. DON'T BE FOOLED. Do not accept this derisory pay rise. Above all else, do not let Gordon Brown shut you up before the next election.Source : Three year pay cut for nursesGod knows why they accepted it at the time, but they did. How times have changed. Gordon Brown’s chances of re-election have gone. Unless, of course, by grandstanding with St. Obama he can pull of... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2307022 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:28:00 +0100 2307022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2287234&cid=t_105221_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F22%2Fvideo-when-a-friendship-ends%2F A few readers asked if I would write out the content of my videos in accompanying text. Here you go: Friendships are a lot like marriages in that some are healthy and some are toxic, or unhealthy. But you sound pretty ridiculous explaining to people why you are sad: “Man, I just broke up with a friend, and it’s really painful.” But that is, in essence, what you are doing, and it needs to be treated the same way as a romantic relationship or marriage ending: with a lot of support and nurturing. As friendships develop and evolve, some don’t have all the right ingredients to last. So it’s right and natural that some break. But that period after the split is so awkward, for both people: the breaker-upper, or the breaker-uppee. I’ve sat in both seats. I love... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2287234 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:29:52 +0100 2287234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284465&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Finland-revenue-vendatta-lets-catch.html McNulty Mug shotThe Inland Revenue is currently persecuting doctors. It may be that this is a government inspired vendatta to try to claw back some of the money paid out to consultants and GPs over the last few years. They have not gone for me, yet, nor for anyone in my practice. They are, however, investigating Mrs Crippen as regards her motoring expenses.Neither Mrs Crippen nor I know much about tax. We have both heard about “duality of purpose” though.  If you own a car, and use it for travelling between hospitals, for on call duties, and also for running the children to school, and for holidays, rightly and properly you cannot claim all your motoring expenses against tax. But how much can you claim? Neither of us has a clue. So, we employ an accountant who specialises in doctors. ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284465 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:40:00 +0100 2284465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255977&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3_a3DVK1-PU%2F You would think Barack Obama’s tsunami of federal spending would provide an easy target for Republicans.  But they apparently haven’t learned the right lessons after two successive electoral debacles. Earmarks don’t account for a lot of money in Washington terms.  You know, just a few billion dollars out of trillions or quadrillions or whatever we are now up to — it’s so easy to lose track! Nevertheless, earmarks are a powerful symbol.  So trust the “stupid party” to muff its chance.  Reports Politico: Bashing Democrats on the day President Obama signed the $410 billion omnibus spending bill was the easy part for Republican leaders Wednesday. But getting Rep. John Boehner and Sen. Mitch McConnell on the same page on earmarks will be a lot tou... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255977 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:34:29 +0100 2255977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2187681&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fhow-to-stop-masturbation.html As recommended by the Church of EnglandMy teenage daughter once caught me at it, in flagrante, late at night when I thought everyone else was in bed. She was appalled and ashamed. I would never do it in public. I am usually on-line when I do it, and always in the privacy of my own home. I keep promising myself that I will stop doing it, but I am hooked. And yet, it stresses me beyond imagination. I am sure it furs up my coronary arteries though I doubt it affects my prostate.  Sometimes – and I do not exaggerate – it makes me shake with anger. I talk, of course, of my habit of reading the Daily Mail.GPs will be paid bonuses for persuading teenagers to have long-lasting contraceptive implants and jabs without their parents' knowledge, it has emerged.Daily MailGPs will be paid to 'enco... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2187681 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 11:24:00 +0100 2187681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182455&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fdestruction-of-nhs-dentistry-fat-cats.html William Kelly : leading British Dental SurgeonTony Blair admitted failure late last month when challenged in the Commons by Liberal Democrat MP Mark Hunter. He conceded that a pledge made in 1999 to ensure within two years access to an NHS dentist for all regardless of where they lived had not been realised. "It has been a real problem. I entirely accept that," the Prime Minister said.sourceIt has not got any better since Gordon Brown took over. Today we learn that as many as six million British citizens have now resorted to DIY dentistry. Of those trying DIY dentistry,26% have tried to pull a tooth using pliers12% have tried tying a piece of string to a door handle.30% admitted to attempting to whiten their teeth with household cleaning products.11% admitted to included using household gl... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182455 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:40:00 +0100 2182455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182456&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Ftime-to-crucify-social-worker-again.html Retraining a social workerA three year old child admitted to hospital with multiple fractures, inflicted by the drunken step-father over a period of several months. The social services had been alerted, visited the household, and scheduled a case conference which was due to take place the day after the child died. Once again, too little, too late.Sorting our social workersGuess what, it’s time to crucify another social workerMark, Brandon & NickyMark and Nicky Webster, currently residing in Ireland with their son Brandon, out of reach of English social workers (don’t the Irish have social workers?), have just been told by a judge in the Court of Appeal that:...even though they 'may well' have been victims of a miscarriage of justice the adoption order on their eldest three childre... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182456 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:06:00 +0100 2182456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2172848&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fhaving-sex-with-doctor.html Janet's little secretExtra-marital sex is so common place that it is hardly worthy of comment. The gossip columns follow the sexual athletics of celebrities with relish, but the “goings on” in the average office are of little interest to anyone.Should a doctor be censured for having an extra-marital office affair?Clearly it is undesirable that a doctor should ever trade upon a professional relationship with a patient to indulge in sexual shenanigans. In the wonderful world of A.J. Cronin, one could not imagine either Dr Cameron or Dr Finlay having their wicked way with a patient, and they would have been censured had they done so. But supposing one of then had got into a leg-over situation with Janet after the annual office party? Much mirth might have ensued, but would this affair hav... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2172848 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:38:00 +0100 2172848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167519&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fjeni-barnett-mmr-measles-and-bad.html Jeni Barnett, Professor Wibble, Ben GoldacreFor those who do not already know, Ben Goldacre is a highy qualifed doctor who writes a regular column in the Guardian, entitled Bad Science. He is also responsible for the blog of the same name. His Bad Science blog has become the most respected and widely read scientific blog in the UK, and one of the most respected sources of sensible no-nonsense science in the world. Ben writes with a light touch, and uses gentle humour rather than vitriol to unmask the quacks and the pedlars of pseudo-science. Who can forget his wonderful one line dismissal of the “awful poo doctor” herself as “Dr Gillian Mckeith PhD or, to give her full medically recognised qualifications, Gillian McKeith."  Who but Ben Goldacre would go to the extreme of buying one ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167519 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:46:00 +0100 2167519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2113677&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=36069&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrankiespeakingfrankly.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fhypocrisy.html Wikipedia has a good definition of hypocrisy:'the act of preaching a certain belief, religion or way of life, but not, in fact, holding these same virtues oneself'.In French a hypocrite is apparently slightly different:'one who hides his intentions and true personality'. (Source: Frankie Speaking Frankly) Frankie Speaking Frankly blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2113677 Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:11:00 +0100 2113677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2073932&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fhappy-new-year-from-medical-gulag.html Dr Grumble, the Jobbing Doctor & Dr CrippenThe year reaches its end with the news that Ben Bradshaw, that embodiment of over-promoted political mediocrity, is to nationalise Neil Bacon. Bacon, you will recall, is the egregious little shit who has been trying to make a fast buck by setting up a website that allows people to make critical remarks about doctors. Bacon poses as some kind of kidney “specialist” but is nothing of the sort. He is not on the GMC hospital specialist register. He is not on the family doctor register. He does not have a sense of humour either. He had a major sulk when the gloriously vulgar origami maestro and doctor, Fishgoth, posted a clearly “doctored” composite photograph on a Doctors.net.uk forum purporting to depict Bacon, dressed in a basque, having... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2073932 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:55:00 +0100 2073932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2039902&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Finfluenza-hypocrisy.html Oh Dear! I fear I am going to get in trouble for this one.I have never had a flu immunisation. OK, I don’t have any of the high risk conditions like asthma and COPD and so on but I am a "health care worker."Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "It's very worrying. People - even doctors - have forgotten what flu is. They have not seen real, serious flu for years and are not getting their vaccine. It is putting patients at risk - not only from catching flu but from staff being off sick. Healthcare workers have a moral duty to get the vaccine."BBCI must admit to some bias. I’m not a fan of Steve Field. I was not happy that he popped up at the top of my profession. Not quite sure how he managed that – except to say that he is, of course, a ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2039902 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:15:00 +0100 2039902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035562&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fcast-not-first-stone.html When I was a junior hospital doctor, I worked at the Royal Marsden Hospital, (RMH) on Fulham Road. It was one of the few jobs I did in which the junior doctors were well looked after. The on-call rota was, for the time, an unbelievably luxurious 1 in 5 (in other words, I only had to work one weekday night and only every fifth weekend). The accommodation was excellent. On the first floor of the RMH was the doctor’s coffee room. Above the main entrance, it looked out over the Fulham Road. Clean, tidy, comfortable sofas, coffee and biscuits perpetually available and a television. Can you remember where you were when the SAS stormed the Iranian embassy siege? I was in that room in the RMH, having a cup of coffee. It was a warm, early summer, and the window was open. The RMH was less than a m... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035562 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:09:00 +0100 2035562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1998876&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fofficer-arrest-this-smirking-crook.html source : guidofawkes (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1998876 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:20:00 +0100 1998876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1951801&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Ftime-to-crucify-social-workers.html What is child abuse? (Click to enlarge)It’s time, once again, to vent our collective spleens.It’s time, once again, for those on the moral high ground to stand up and be counted.It’s time, once again, to crucify a social worker.Haringey Council has done it again. Eight years on from the Victoria Climbie scandal, their social service department has allowed another defenceless child to be horrifically murdered. Frankly, we find the details of Baby P's case too distressing to read, and it seems nobody comes out of it well. But it beggars belief that Haringey Social Services decided to leave the child with his drug addict "slob" mother, even though he was on the "at-risk" register, and even after the police had advised he should be removed.(Three star disgrace)You cannot legislate to era... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951801 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:21:00 +0100 1951801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1531140&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Flooking-after-patients-with-dementia-3.html I've an "idea about dementia" LewisThe government has a protocol which determines how it responds to any new, or newly perceived, crisis in health care. Let us suppose that the latest crisis involves condition X. The protocol goes like this:Announce a “new”strategyCriticise GPs for the lamentable way that they are currently treating XFeed stories to the media about the poor way X is being treatedCommit the government to “raising public awareness” of XPledge to investigate ways to improve the management of XPledge to instruct doctors how better to do their jobsIntroduce new clinics to improve the early diagnosis of XIntroduce and fund new “key workers” to deal with XSay that X is a “huge problem and set some new targets for early diagnosis.It has just happened with “dementia... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1531140 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:55:00 +0100 1531140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526055&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Flooking-after-patients-with-dementia-2.html Even I was taken aback by the anger caused by the post below.Look at some of the comments. They just go to show that, unless and until you have hands-on experience of caring for a close relative with dementia, you are unlikely to have any idea of the enormity of the task. So many indignant telescopes being lifted up to so many blind eyes.Most people with mild to moderate dementia live at home. If they are lucky, they have a spouse to do the caring or, occasionally, they live with their children. Sometimes they are left to their own devices with neighbours, social services, family doctors, CPNs, and psycho-geriatricians doing their best. It is the Twilight Zone of medicine. Underfunded. Often ignored. Alzheimer's has a certain cachet these days. People buy the flag and support the Alzheimer... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526055 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:08:00 +0100 1526055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526056&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Flooking-after-patients-with-dementia-1.html I shall await the full File on Four programme (Radio 4 8.00 pm tonight) before commenting on Professor Tim Kendall’s outburst on the Radio 4 Today programme this morning. I suspect there is some truth in his allegation that too many patients with dementia are on anti-psychotic drugs. Many of them were started on them by locum psychogeriatricians, but I digress.We are currently running computer searches on all our patients with dementia and by this evening I will have more information as to our prescribing habits. As a prequel though, just a short mention of the sanctimonious hypocrisy exhibited by so many heart-on-sleeve relatives of demented patients. Take a look at the discussion forum on the Help the Aged website. In particular look at this letter from a “caring relative” who styl... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526056 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:47:00 +0100 1526056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1499874&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fpretty-polly-toynbee-is-looking-after.html Polly Toynbee at restWhen I started NHS BLOG DOCTOR a couple of years ago, I soon came across the DK, the ageing Greek and Tim Worstall.  All three seemed mysteriously unified in their hatred of Polly Toynbee. As Polly increasingly frequently turns her champagne socialist hand to the NHS I begin to understand why she was so disliked. Today, she has produced a tendentiously headlined concatenation of half truths, misrepresentations and down right lies about GPs.Don't be fooled: this doctors' protest is all about profits, not patientsGPs are fighting the new polyclinics for the same reason they refused to join the NHS 60 years ago: to protect their business (Polly Toynbee)Let’s take a rational look at Polly’s article.The British Medical Association has declared war on the government. N... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1499874 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:11:00 +0100 1499874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1445980&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fpoliticians-who-take-drugs.html Iain Dale dips a toe in shark infested water today when he unearths an excruciating interview with the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, in which she is slowly spit roasted by a member of the public about her admission of having smoked cannabis a number of times as a student. Iain's headline is "Jacqui Smith admits she should not be home secretary". She does nothing of the sort.Like most family doctors, I frequently see young people who are dabbling in drugs, a small number who are serious users. Those who are politically aware are amused that half the Labour Cabinet admits to having indulged. As teenagers, as students, we are all on a learning curve, and we all have skeletons in the cupboard.  I am comfortable with Jacqui Smith's behaviour. I know she is human and honest. I am less impress... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1445980 Thu, 15 May 2008 13:28:00 +0100 1445980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1423122&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fpoor-old-gazza.html is in trouble again.Paul Gascoigne was back in hospital last night after asking staff to give him a steak knife and then trying to drown himself in the bathtub of his hotel room. The troubled former England football star was being assessed by doctors after going "hysterical" at a top London hotel, it has been reported. Police were called to the four-star Millennium Hotel in Knightsbridge yesterday afternoon after staff became concerned about his condition.Daily MailI am not a football fan but even I knew Paul Gascoigne was one of the great talents. He has not coped with the money, and the fame, and the alcohol. But what is to be done? One of the comments under the article infuriated me:Will we have to wait until he's hurt himself or someone else before the medical profession takes note? W... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1423122 Mon, 05 May 2008 20:23:00 +0100 1423122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1340520&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fgetting-truth-from-taxpayers-alliance.html Matthew Elliott - a well travelled manThe Taxpayers' Alliance have created a bigger stir with their rant on local authority pay rates than they did with their similar attack on the medical profession and other NHS employees a few weeks ago. They specialise in criticising public sector pay rates but always keep quiet about their own.  Matthew Elliott of the TPA particularly enjoys criticising GPs.  He recently commented on the service we offer and our pay rates:Matthew Elliott, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, added: 'This is an astonishing amount to pay GPs when the service received by patients has improved so little. (TPA) I do not know what office hours Matthew works because he does not say, but it is good to know that he is concerned to conserve taxpayers' money. What do we know about Mat... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1340520 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:47:00 +0100 1340520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1336650&cid=t_105221_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fchallenge-to-taxpayers-alliance-tpa.html The Taxpayers’ Alliance (TPA) blinkered hypcrisy is an ever increasing source of annoyance. The TPA has but one bland belief. Taxes are too high, and should be reduced. In their prominently displayed mission statement the TPA says:Taxpayers' Alliance Mission StatementWe will oppose all tax risesThat is it. No exemptions. No explanation. No penumbra. No analysis other than that in which the conclusions have been pre-defined. Tax is a bad thing. Surprising they have not joined up with the Libertarian Party amongst whose avowed aims is the abolition of income tax. Come to think of it, maybe they have.My friend Wat Tyler has just posted an article purporting to expose the scandal of unaccountably high salaries in local government. Sadly, and unusually for him, the post is Daily Mail style TP... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1336650 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:52:00 +0100 1336650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=996496&cid=t_105221_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F11%2F1%2Fthe-psychology-and-neuroscience-of-hypocrisy.html  By Dov Michaeli MD, Ph.DAn article in the Sept. 17 2007 issue of Time magazine tweaked my interest. In it the author, John Cloud, argues that the recent crop of Republican homosexual legislators deserves our understanding of their weakness, rather the opprobrium of hypocrisy. To quote Cloud, he is offering “a moistly liberal request: Can we have a moment of pity for moralizers who fall?”His argument runs as follows:“Hypocrisy is among the most universal and well-studied of psychological phenomena, and the research suggests that Craig, Haggard and the others may be guilty not so much of moral hypocrisy as moral weakness. The distinction may sound trivial at first, but as a society, we tend to forgive the weak and shun the hypocritical.Assume for a moment that Craig a... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=996496 Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:58:37 +0100 996496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=542780&cid=t_105221_135_f&fid=35263&url=http%3A%2F%2Fronhudson.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Flogic-money-politics-and-ethics-which.html My boss used to tell me that an ancient Chinese curse reads “May you live in interesting times.” I tell you, we must be cursed.I was talking with my partner this week and I told him that it is no surprise that our kids are learning not to care, or worse, to see that everyone else is getting away with wrongdoing.I feel it is time for our leaders in the media, the entertainment industry and in government to consider the full extent of the mix of messages that they are sending to our citizens, but especially to our kids.Here are some examples:John McCain went to the Green Zone of Baghdad and made a big deal out of parading around in a flak jacket with helmet and over-flying assault helicopters while declaring it to be a safe area for a stroll. Now this week, the Green Zone was infiltrated... 2sides2ron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=542780 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:21:00 +0100 542780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=487208&cid=t_105221_133_f&fid=35098&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclub166.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fwhen-is-rose-dandelion.html We are fortunate that we live in a very good school district. At least that’s what I thought when we adopted our son 7 years ago. Our school district is one of the best in our area, and routinely sends a high proportion of its grads to prestigious universities across the country. Unfortunately, over time I’ve come to understand that perhaps our district isn’t as great for our son as I once thought it would be.First of all, there’s the problem that our district is the victim of its own success. Our district has historically enjoyed such a good reputation that a higher percentage of parents send their kids to the public schools in our district than in other districts. Even though many of the families in our district could afford to send their kids anywhere, they choose the public sch... Club 166 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=487208 Sat, 17 Feb 2007 12:47:00 +0100 487208