Medicine and Science from The BMJ

Alistair Stewart, a consultant psychiatrist from Manchester, co-authored an open letter urging NHS staff to oppose the far-right's influence. Omnia Ahmed, a resident doctor in London, highlights the emotional toll of anti-migrant rhetoric on NHS workers and emphasizes the need for institutional support. Matthew Hutchinson, a rheumatologist and stand-up comedian, shares insights from his memoir about balancing healthcare and humor while navigating challenges in the medical field. Together, they discuss combating racism and advocating for solidarity among healthcare professionals.

Explore the Q-Collar, a device promoted for brain injury protection in sports, and the skepticism surrounding its scientific backing. Hear insights from former athlete Johnny Townsend on the search for concussion solutions. Discover a network meta-analysis revealing aerobic exercise as the top choice for knee osteoarthritis relief. Finally, delve into patient perspectives on choice in healthcare, emphasizing informed decision-making and the need to empower patients rather than merely offering options.

In this episode of the podcast; In July this year, the Government published their 10 year health plan for England - A new analysis just published on BMJ.com takes an in depth look at the chances of that plan succeeding, and where the government needs to focus time and resources. Bob Klaber, paediatrician and director of strategy, research and innovation at Imperial College Healthcare, and Helen Salisbury, GP and columnist for the BMJ join us to discuss. Journalist Chris Stoker-Walker's grandfather suffered from delirium at the end of his life, but the journey to that diagnosis was difficult - Chris joins us to talk about the impact that had on his family, and Elizabeth Sampson, professor of liaison psychiatry from Queen Mary University of London, explains why it's under-researched. Finally, we've been reporting from Gaza for 2 years, and it's been very difficult to get accurate information out of the region. However, new research published on bmj.com has surveyed medics there, to document the patterns of wounding in the civilian population - to improve the medical response to the conflict. Omar El-Taji and Ameer Ali, resident doctors in the NHS join us to explain what they found.   Reading list: Delivering on the 10 year health plan for England Why can’t we do anything about delirium? Patterns of war related trauma in Gaza during armed conflict  

Kim Leadbeater, a Labour MP and the driving force behind the UK’s Assisted Dying Bill, shares her insights on the proposed legislation and its parliamentary journey. Jamila Hussain, a palliative care consultant, discusses the potential impact on vulnerable groups, emphasizing the need for robust safeguards. Meanwhile, Tobias Good explains the intriguing concept of Target Trial Emulation, shedding light on how observational studies can reveal causal relationships. Tim Feeney offers further insights into evaluating these methods for better evidence synthesis.

Jocalyn Clark, the International editor at The BMJ, discusses the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the generational impact of starvation. The conversation explores the arms industry's role as a commercial determinant of health, urging a reevaluation of its effects on public well-being. Clark also highlights the need for preventive health measures in general practice to address the complex dynamics of warfare and welfare. The podcast reveals chilling insights into the long-lasting health ramifications of malnutrition in conflict zones.

Kenneth Charles, a consultant haematologist from the University of the West Indies, discusses the revolutionary CRISPR therapy approved by NICE for sickle cell disease and the challenges it presents. Investigative journalist Emma Wilkinson exposes misleading claims by companies offering to bank children's teeth for stem cells, revealing a lack of evidence behind their promises. Lastly, Jamie Thorogood, captain of the Great Britain men's medical football team, celebrates their recent victory at the Medics World Cup, highlighting the blend of sports and healthcare.

If you’ve been in a high street pharmacy or supermarket recently, chances are you’ll have seen home test kits for all sorts of indications; blood sugar level, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid function, and even some forms of cancer. A new series of article in The BMJ revealing serious concerns with the reliability of these home tests, and raises questions about their regulation. Jonathan Deeks, professor of Biostatistics at the University of Birmingham, joins us to discuss what these tests are, and how his team have rated their usability. Also this week, the sad death of a child in Liverpool from measles highlights the growing outbreak in the UK - and this may be one of the first times many doctors have come across the infection. Frances Dutton, GP at the Small Heath Medical Practice reminds us how to recognise the sign of the infection.   Reading list Direct-to-consumer self-tests sold in the UK in 2023 How to recognise and manage measles

Professor Gillian Leng, President of the Royal Society of Medicine was asked to carry out an independent review into the role of physician and anaesthetic associates. She sits down with Kamran Abbasi, editor in chief of The BMJ, to discuss her findings. In the UK, the rollout of physician associates, NHS staff who took on some of the tasks of doctors, has been both haphazard and controversial. Originally copied from similar roles in the U.S., British PAs were introduced in the early 2000s. The level of clinical responsibility they were asked to take on began to vary around the country, driven mostly by the workforce needs of individual Trusts. The lack of clarity about their roles lead to disquiet with doctors, worry for patients, and an increasingly toxic debate on social media. 01.00 What is the Leng Review? 10:00 Recommendation one: Renaming 14:00 Recommendation two: Easier identification 16:00 Recommendation three: How to work? 20:00 Recommendation four: Diagnosis 25:00 Recommendation five: Oversight & Regulation 32:00 Prescribing and ordering ionizing radiation? 40:00 A failure of workforce planning and vision ? 49:00 The NHS 10 year plan

This week we’re focusing on the NHS. On the 3rd of July the UK’s Prime Minister, Kier Starmer finally announced the NHS’ 10 year plan. His Labour government laid out a vision for where the healthcare service should head over the next decade. The announcement has been met with mixed responses. The plan has some good ideas - but a lack of vision combined with scarcity of detail leave many questions about how well its aims can be implemented. In this podcast we're joined by 3 experts to dissect the details of this plan Jennifer Dixon is chief executive of the Health Foundation Katie Bramhall-Stainer is a working GP, and chairs the BMA’s General Practice committee. David Oliver is a consultant geriatrician, and a columnist for the BMJ Reading list News analysis: What is the NHS 10 year plan promising and how will it be delivered? Editorial: Government’s 10 year plan for the NHS in England David Oliver's column: The NHS 10 year plan—more a set of ambitions than a plan

Tom Dolphin, a consultant anaesthetist and the new chair of the BMA Council, discusses his vision for empowering union members and addressing NHS challenges. He highlights the importance of localized medical representation and ongoing pay disputes, emphasizing the need for better working conditions. Dolphin also dives into the workforce crisis, the plight of international medical graduates, and the necessity for advocating trans rights in healthcare. His passion for unity and respect in the profession aims to foster a better environment for both doctors and patients.