Our round-up of the health headlines on Monday 1 August.
Negligence claims against GPs are rising, the Guardian claimed this weekend. Payouts to patients and their families have hit a new high, according to the Medical Defence Union.
In 2009/10, claims rose by a fifth – and a staggering 13 cases cost more than £1 million to settle. NHS medical director, Sir Bruce Keogh said the data show that patients should be able to get information about the performance of their GP. The BMA and RCGP are currently in talks with the Government about publishing data on GP performance later this year.
In happier news, a ‘nudge' during the application for a new driving licence could increase organ donations, The Independent reports. At present just 29% of British adults are on the register, despite 90% expressing an interest in ‘the gift of life'.
Pulse blogger Professor Edzard Ernst was the subject of a major interview by The Guardian this weekend. Highlight of the interview has to be his bashing Prince Charles as a ‘snake oil salesman' – ouch!
Lastly, a shock headline for all of us: colonic irrigation doesn't work. Much like the procedure itself, this news is uncomfortable, humiliating, and makes little difference to our lives – but at least it's washed away the crap.
