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EXTEND GP TRAINING TO BOOST DEMENTIA SKILLS


GP TRAINING should be extended to include sufficient training on treating dementia, according to a report by an influential group of MPs and peers. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia said


the training programme should be lengthened in line with other specialties because GPs lack the confidence and skills to effectively treat dementia. The group also recommended the introduction of ongoing specialist community training. Dementia treatment cost an estimated £20billion in 2010 and the figure is expected to reach £27billion by 2018. But fewer than half of those with the condition are diagnosed, leaving many people to struggle without much-needed support, the report says. The report concluded: “The confidence and skills of some general practitioners in recognising dementia


continues to be inadequate. Increasing the length of GP training so that it is equivalent to other specialisms would allow for improved coverage of dementia within the GP curriculum.” Local areas should also consider how best to develop ongoing training, the report goes on to


say, suggesting “brief targeted sessions run by specialist dementia services at GP practices”. Such interventions may prove extremely helpful for GPs as they take on new commissioning responsibilities.


SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE 2011 YEARBOOK


THERE'S STILL time to place your order for your 2011 school yearbook. The yearbook is free if you take up


graduate membership with MDDUS, which offers access to medico-legal assistance and professional indemnity for just £10. For a graduate application form, get in


touch with Olivia McCulloch at MDDUS on omcculloch@mddus.comor 0845 270 2034. The yearbook offer applies to all medical schools in Scotland.


NEW NHS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ANNOUNCED


PLANS HAVE been unveiled for a national leadership academy to help NHS staff develop their skills as non-clinical managers. Health secretary Andrew Lansley said the


academy would give all staff an equal chance to develop the skills needed “to drive a truly world class NHS.”


The move followed a report by health think tank the King’s Fund earlier this year which criticised the lack of involvement of doctors in management as “one of the defining weaknesses of the NHS over the decades.” King’s Fund chief executive Chris Ham


welcomed the new academy as “a positive step”.


STRONG SUPPORT FOR ETHICAL OBJECTIONS


A SURVEYof 733 medical students has found that just under half support the right of doctors to refuse to offer any procedure that conflicts with their personal, moralor religious beliefs.


An article published in the Journal of


Medical Ethics reports on the survey in which medical students were asked: “Do you think that doctors should be entitled to object to any procedure for which they have a moral, cultural or religious disagreement?” Overall, 45 per cent said yes, 14 per cent


were unsure and 40 per cent said no. Support was highest among Muslim students at 76 per cent. Across the entire group of medical students, one in five objections were on religious grounds, almost half were on non- religious grounds and around one in three were a mixture of both.


Among 11 specific practices, medical


students were least willingto treat patients requesting an abortion.


Dr Sophie Strickland, author of the report said: "In light of increasing demand for abortions, these results may have implications for women's access to abortion services in the future. The Department of Health has issued statistics showing that, although there are an increasing number of abortions taking place in the UK, fewer doctors are willing to perform them." GMC guidance Personal beliefs and medical


practicestates that doctors must make patient care their first priority and treat patients with respect whatever their life choices and beliefs. It states: “If carrying out a particular


procedure or giving advice about it conflicts with your religious or moral beliefs, and this conflict might affect the treatment or advice you provide, you must explain this to the patient and tell them they have the right to see another doctor. You must be satisfied that the patient has sufficient information to


enable them to exercise that right. If it is not practical for a patient to arrangeto see another doctor, you must ensure that arrangements are made for another suitably qualified colleague to take over your role.”


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