I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I read that the NHS had announced measures to improve the working lives of doctors “including ensuring accurate and timely pay”. Ensuring workers are paid the right amount at the right time is a basic right, not an improvement.

“A major barrier to adult catch-up vaccination for missed routine immunisations in migrant communities in the UK is the limited opportunities, recommendations or tailored vaccination information presented to migrants by the NHS.” Our article in Vaccine.
sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Some years ago, the government changed the name of the medical certificates (sick notes) issued by NHS GPs to “Fit Notes”. I am still waiting for a patient who is too unwell to work to ask me for a fit note rather than a sick note.

Our new research article discusses key barriers and facilitators to vaccine uptake in pregnancy. #pregnancy #vaccines #healthcare

sgul.ac.uk/news/key-barri…

journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…

Speaking as a doctor, when someone coughs over you and then says 'Don't worry, it's not covid', that isn't any reassurance. I don't want to be infected with whatever virus they are carrying; whether it's SARS-CoV-2, another coronavirus, flu, adenovirus, RSV or another virus.

I spoke at a medical student conference this morning.

Receptionist: Can I help you?

Me: I'm here for the medical student conference.

Receptionist: Are you a medical student?

Me: That's the best thing someone has said to me all week.😀

It's not a good idea for clinicians to post screenshots of patient letters on social media even if they have taken out identifying details (unless the patients have consented to this). This is like publishing a case report without patient consent, which journals no longer do.

The Government wants to remove GPs from the process of issuing fit (sick) notes & says this will reduce their work. My prediction is that it will increase the work of GPs who will get endless requests for letters & medical reports from patients who have been denied a fit note.

Measles is a serious illness with a high risk of complications. Anyone in an eligible group who is not fully vaccinated or is unsure of their vaccination status (or is the parent of an unvaccinated child) should come forwards for vaccination. pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clinical-…

Reducing the number of people who are not working due to ill-health requires a multi-faceted approach involving stakeholders such as the government, NHS and employers. Better occupational health support is a priority for this group. My blog for SOM e-News
🔗som.org.uk/reducing-numbe…

The European Commission proposes negotiations to restore visa-free mobility for 18-30 year olds between the EU and UK, potentially allowing millions of young people to work, study, and travel freely for up to four years, partially rolling back a key restriction of Brexit.

Our new article in BMJ Global Health discusses the challenges in comparing international differences in excess mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic when evaluating the effectiveness of pandemic-control measures. gh.bmj.com/content/9/4/e0…

Too many people in the UK are not physically active enough; leading to an increased risk of health problems. Counting the number of steps you take each day is a good way to monitor and increase your physical activity.

But how many steps should you take? 10,000 steps daily is a

Counting the number of steps you take daily is a good way to monitor and increase your physical activity. But how many steps? 10,000 steps is a reasonable target for an active adult. For older people or those with medical conditions, a smaller number of steps may be sufficient.

From this week onwards, people are eligible can book a spring Covid-19 booster vaccination online, by telephone or on the NHS App. Appointments will be available from 22 April. You don't need to wait to be invited to book your appointment. nhs.uk/nhs-services/c…

Every day in the UK, pharmacists will be getting in touch with GPs to advise on alternative medication for drugs that are currently unavailable, querying medication choices and dosages, and picking up potential prescribing errors. All essential to deliver good NHS primary care.

This review aims to assess the regulatory standards and guidance for health apps supporting evidence-based best practices in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on self-management Professor Azeem Majeed Josip Car Nikolas Mastellos Department of Primary Care & Public Health Michael Schade
jmir.org/2024/1/e49163