A round-up of RCP news.
This week in brief
Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) joint statement on publication of junior doctors’ contract and equality analysis
A joint statement was released regarding publication of the junior doctors’ contract and equality analysis.
Election of the new regional adviser for North Wales
RCP vice president for Wales, Dr Alan Rees, called for nominations for the new regional adviser for North Wales to be made by all RCP fellows based in Wales.
National Clinical Guideline Centre (NCGC) new guidance on the use of preoperative tests before elective surgery
A new clinical guideline, published on 6 April, sets out best practice for healthcare professionals in the use of routine preoperative tests before elective surgery.
News from Brussels
EU referendum and health
RCP registrar, Dr Andrew Goddard, has issued a ‘call for views’ on how the referendum result could affect healthcare and public health in the UK. Several current and former presidents of royal colleges signed a letter to The Times this week, highlighting ‘the valuable benefits of continued EU membership to the NHS, medical innovation and UK public health’.
Antibiotics in farming
Recent European Parliament votes on veterinary medicinal products, medicated feed and the adoption of an animal health law have been welcomed as vital steps in tackling the spread of drug-resistant infections. Earlier this year, RCP president Professor Jane Dacre joined 50 health and scientific leaders from across Europe in calling for an EU ban on the routine, preventative mass medication of healthy farm animals.
EU report on disruptive innovation in healthcare
The European Commission Expert Panel on Effective Ways of Investing in Health has published a final opinion: Disruptive innovation – considerations for health and health care in Europe.
News from Wales
British Medical Association (BMA) warns of NHS Wales crunch years
The NHS in Wales has reached a ‘crunch point’ and, after the assembly election, politicians will need to look at shifting resources from hospitals, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said. Dr Phil Banfield, chairman of the BMA Welsh Council, warned against structural changes. But he said that more money needed to go into GPs and primary care.
North Wales hospitals are facing ‘extremely high levels of demand’
Wrexham Maelor, Glan Clwyd Hospital and Ysbyty Gwynedd saw a big increase in admissions of frail and seriously ill patients on Tuesday. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board warned of ‘significant delays’ in emergency departments and said patients have had to be held in ambulances.
RCP in the media
End of Life Care Audit
National Health Executive: Care for the dying has improved but is still inadequate – RCP report
Nursing Times: Audit finds ‘steady progress’ in care of dying people
eHospice: Audit shows improvement in how hospitals care for those at the end of life – but variations still exist
Bristol Post: Bristol’s NHS trusts below average when it comes to recognising a patient is close to death
OnMedica: End-of-life care ‘improving’
Hospital Dr: End-of-life care audit shows room for improvement in provision of 24-7 palliative care services
Alcohol
Cancer Research UK: 9 in 10 don’t link alcohol and cancer
Western Daily Press: People’s awareness of the link between drinking and cancer is worrying low
Herald Scotland: Awareness over link between alcohol and cancer ‘worryingly low’
Medical News Today: 9 in 10 don’t link alcohol and cancer
The Star: Sheffield researchers find that 90 per cent don’t link alcohol with cancer
Junior doctors’ contract
Daily Mail: New NHS contracts ‘are anti-women’: Female doctors will face increased childcare costs and widening pay gaps with male colleagues, experts claim
The Guardian: Female doctors may be forced to quit over new contract, experts say
HSJ: High Court asked to block junior doctors’ contract imposition
National Health Executive: Two legal challenges launched against junior doctors’ contract
National Health Executive: Patients’ Association and RCPE back latest junior doctors’ strike
Stakeholder update
Action on Smoking and Health: Media advisory – Standardised ‘plain’ cigarette packaging starts on 20 May 2016
British Medical Journal: Food should be labelled with ‘activity equivalent’ calorie information
Social Market Foundation: New report urges government to establish an Office for Patient Outcomes