Search

Since Bennett, Draper, and Frith published a paper in the Journal of Medical Ethics in 2000 considering the possible criminalization of HIV transmission, an important legal development has taken place. February 2001 saw the first successful United Kingdom prosecution for the sexual transmission of disease for over a century, when Stephen Kelly was convicted in Glasgow of recklessly injuring his former girlfriend by infecting her with HIV. Whether English criminal law (as opposed to Scots law) can apply criminal penalties in such a case, however, still remains uncertain. This paper, in addition to providing some background to the Kelly case, briefly explores the current possibilities for prosecution under English law. It then proceeds to outline and comment on the issues relevant to criminalization, responding in part to points made by Bennett, Draper, and Frith and also by Bird and Leigh Brown in a recent article in the BMJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the decision of the House of Lords in Re F in [1990] clarified somewhat the law concerning the treatment of the mentally incapacitated adult, many uncertainties remained. This paper explores proposals discussed in a recent government green paper for reform of the law in an area involving many difficult ethical dilemmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In recent decades, labour market participation has fallen in men, with large amounts of this decline accounted for by increases in permanent sickness. There is speculation that the rising numbers of permanently sick incorporate more people with less severe conditions than was previously the case. This paper examines the relationship between labour market position and subsequent mortality around State Pension Age. Methods Using linked census and death records in the ONS Longitudinal Study, samples of men aged 55-69 and women aged 50-64 were selected from each decennial census, 1971-2001 and their health followed up. Differences between the employed, unemployed and economically inactive in age-specific death rates, Standardised Mortality Ratios and odds of reporting limiting long-term illness were examined. Results Labour market activity in late middle age has changed since 1971. For example, the proportion of men employed at ages 60-64 years has fallen by 39%, and the proportion permanently sick has more than doubled. Despite this change, there has been stability in the RR of mortality between labour market positions. Working people have the lowest risk of premature death, while, relative to working people, the permanently sick continue to have mortalities around three times higher among men and four to five times higher among women. Conclusion The evidence does not support the notion that the permanently sick are becoming less seriously ill. The persistence of the group's raised mortality suggests that measures aimed at encouraging later life employment should ensure provision of work environments suitable for people with chronic illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each of the following papers gives an account of a different UK clinical ethics committee. The committees vary in the length of time they have been established, and also in the main focus of their work. The accounts discuss the development of the committees and some of the ethical problems that have been brought to them. The issues raised will be relevant for other National Health Service (NHS) trusts in the UK that wish to set up such a committee. (Journal of Medical Ethics 2001 ;27 suppl I:i9-i17) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the neurological facilities in Gloucester, England, which has a population of 550 000. As reported, there is a lot of neurological work to be done in the periphery of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. The white paper presented by the new Government in Great Britain has provided another initiative and a chance to develop the facilities in Gloucester.

The article offers a look at the commissioning of patient services by a group of general practitioners in Northamptonshire in England following the publication of the British government's health white paper in July 2010. It cites the reasons for the decision of the Nene Commissioning office in Northamptonshire to move away from primary care trust (PCT) control. The article also presents the views of several general practitioners, such as Anil Mehta and Darin Seiger, on the advantages and disadvantages of commissioning.

The article analyses British Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's privatisation plans for National Health Service (NHS). In a white paper presented by Lansley on July 12, 2001, the health secrerary noted that any willing healthcare provider will be allowed to deliver services to NHS patients as long as they provide high quality standards of care. Information is presented on the failure of Hinchingbrooke, a 369 bed complex in Cambridgeshire, England, which could be the first to be privatised under the initiative.

Presents a research paper studying the inequity of use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators in England. Rates of implantations of the devices which lag behind those in western European countries and North America; National Institute for Clinical Excellence which has recommended indications for use in patients with ventricular arrhythmias; Presentation on current use, geographic and social equity and the barriers to care; Methods and results of the study; Comment that the use of ICDs varies between health regions and is not commensurate with need; Demand which is likely to increase and a pressing need which exits to tackle inequities and barriers to care.

Highlights the international congress on transcultural psychiatry held in Great Britain. Sponsorship of World Federation for Mental Health and the University of Bradford; Details of the papers presented in the conference; Training of psychiatrists relative to survey instrument management.