UK doctors have no confidence in NHS database

Do you have confidence in the UK government?s ability to safeguard patient information on a national NHS database? Do you feel you are in a position to assure patients that their data will be safe? Would you want your own data stored in this way? – Nine out of ten UK doctors have no confidence in the government’s ability to safeguard patient data online, a poll conducted by British Medical Association, BMA News has revealed.

27% lower mortality in top hospitals, finds HealthGrades

Hospital quality gap persists, resulting in 171,424 preventable deaths, according to HealthGrades’ Sixth Annual Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence study. – Patients treated at top-rated hospitals in US are nearly one-third less likely to die, on average, than those admitted to all other hospitals, according to a study released by HealthGrades (Nasdaq: HGRD), the leading independent healthcare ratings organization.

Defeat of California health care legislation highlights difficulties states face

Defeat of California health care legislation highlights difficulties states face in establishing universal coverage – The defeat of a $14.9 billion proposal to overhaul California’s health care system “underscores a difficulty states face in achieving universal insurance coverage” and “their inability to slow the upward trajectory of health care costs”.

BMA not forcing GPs to leave the NHS, UK

UK doctors may feel forced to quit the NHS if the UK Government pushes through its plans for them to work extra hours. – UK doctors may feel forced to quit the NHS if the UK Government pushes through its plans for them to work extra hours. Responding to a news article in Pulse magazine on the BMA’s impasse with Government on extended hours, Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s GPs Committee, said:

Australian health budget for a responsible long term health plan

Australian Medical Association (AMA) Federal Budget Submission 2008-09 provides the Government with suggested health spending priorities to build a sustainable and equitable health system to serve Australians for the long term. – The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Federal Budget Submission 2008-09 provides the Government with suggested health spending priorities to build a sustainable and equitable health system to serve Australians for the long term. The Submission was lodged with Treasury on 18 January in keeping with the Treasurer’s deadline.

Strong health system in Canada by 2020, says CNA

Integration of Canada?s individual provincial and territorial health systems will support improved efficiency and effectiveness of the system. Integration will mean Canadians can readily access health services both where they live and where they travel, whether it?s across the country or around the world. – By 2020, problems with access to health services will be eradicated and registered nurses will be central to Canada’s primary care system, predicts the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) in Vision for Change a vision statement for Canada’s health system and a signature component of their 100th anniversary.

India-China Joint Medical Mission

India-China Joint Medical Mission will offer free consultations to several poor areas in the two nations India and China. – A joint Medical Mission from India and China will offer free consultations to several poor areas in the two nations under an MoU signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit.

American physicians prescribe placebos on occasion

American physicians’ use of placebos in clinical practice in the 21st Century, 45 percent of Chicago internists report they have used a placebo at some time during their clinical practice. – In the first study examining American physicians’ use of placebos in clinical practice in the 21st Century, 45 percent of Chicago internists report they have used a placebo at some time during their clinical practice researchers report in the January issue of Journal of General Internal Medicine.

TV prescription drug ads minimize risk information

Prescription drug ads on television still do not present a fair balance of information, especially when it comes to the risk of side effects. – A new University of Georgia study finds that most of prescription drug ads on television still do not present a fair balance of information, especially when it comes to the risk of side effects.

New dimensions added to child & women welfare, India

Indian Govt. accomplished some new initiatives in the areas of development and welfare of children and women this year 2007. – The year saw number of new initiatives in the areas of development and welfare of children and women. Laws were made more stringent to ban Child Marriage and protection of juvenile, Amendments initiated in Immoral Traffic Act and Prevention of Sati and a scheme for rehabilitation of trafficked victims was launched to give message that women welfare is on the top of the Indian Government’s agenda.

Health Newstrack