This week

Article Abstract:

The UK government and health professions are addressing the issue of monitoring patient care in the wake of findings on doctors involved in child heart operations with a poor success rate. The case raises many questions, as does the wider issue of introducing measures for monitoring. Monitoring is important, but it is complex in practice and it has dangers. The public and the health professions should be aware of bad practice so they can eradicate it, but the monitoring system should not undermine the profession or deter doctors from undertaking difficult procedures.

Evaluation, Column, Medical care, Physicians, Medical malpractice, Performance standards, Job performance standards

---

Sticky wicket

Article Abstract:

New UK junior health minister, John Bowis, has been involved in the controversy surrounding proposals to allow local authorities to charge prospective adoptive parents a maximum of 1,500 pounds sterling for home assessments. Since news of the proposals, already included in the original government adoption reform consultation document, was publicised, the government appears to have changed its position, with Prime Minister, John Major, disapproving of the policy, and health secretary, Virginia Bottomley, stating that it is unlikely charges will be made.

United Kingdom, Political activity, Social policy, Adoption, Bowis, John

---

The big chill

Article Abstract:

National Health Service Trusts and Nursing unions have opposed the British Government's public service pay restrictions. The policy limits Trusts' freedom to determine local pay. The pay review bodies are also powerless to advocate real increases. Hoever, the policy may have political implications for the Government. Limiting pay increases may encourage employee solidarity and the restoration of national wage negotiation.

Compensation and benefits, United Kingdom. National Health Service, Wages, Wages and salaries

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Trust betrayed. Supporting services. High anxiety
• Abstracts: The right tools give safety a hand. Handle hand protection with care. Well? It's about time
• Abstracts: Working together. Sleeping like a baby. Public inconvenience
• Abstracts: Prescribing cost revealed. The final frontier. Emergency pressures

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.