5 common symptoms of appendicitis We will now describe 5 of the most common symptoms of appendicitis. 1. Rapid onset of tummy pain – that usually begins around your navel – and comes and goes (colicky). 2. Pain often shifts to your lower right abdomen – then becomes constant. It may worsens if you cough, breathe in, […]
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NHS apprenticeship in medicine The Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship (MDDA) offers NHS organisations the opportunity to recruit from a wider pool of people in the local community. It also gives individuals, who for a multitude of reasons may be unable to attend university full time, a new route to train as a doctor. A medical apprentice will […]
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What happens on a CCU (coronary care unit)? We will describe what happens on a coronary care unit (CCU). What is a CCU? A coronary care unit (CCU) provides high dependency care to those with serious heart issues. It is a mixed ward (men and women). It provides care for acutely unwell cardiac patients. Cardiology (means heart medicine) […]
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What is a CCU (coronary care unit)? A coronary care unit (CCU) provides high dependency care to those with serious heart issues. It is a mixed ward (men and women). Cardiology (means heart medicine) doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have extensive training to work in a CCU. There is usually a low ratio of patients to staff in the CCU – […]
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How to get a mental health assessment from your GP Yes, this is definitely possible. In fact, many GPs are interested in mental health and lots of practices now have mental health workers available at the surgery. This means that timely, specialist mental health help is often available close to home in the familiar environment of your GP […]
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What are the key NHS targets? The performance against key NHS targets varies depending on the type of treatment and location in the UK (yes, there is a postcode lottery). There are the three main NHS targets related to physical health. They are sometimes called ‘Key Performance Indicators’ (or KPIs). Latest data is shown below. This current performance data […]
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What makes a good hospital (7 factors)? A good hospital can be defined as one that provides high-quality medical care, prioritises patient safety and satisfaction, and engages with the local community. Key points Quality of care Patient safety Accessibility Range of services and performance Patient experience Cost-effective Community engagement and communication. Here is more on […]
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Do NHS consultants work weekends? No, most hospital consultants do not work normally at weekends. They should. This is the view of MyHSN and we think the public agrees. They could if they wanted to. As most consultants are not there, most hospitals do not run routine services at weekends, or on bank holidays, or […]
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What causes a widow’s (dowager’s) hump? We will describe what causes a widow’s (dowager’s) hump. What is it? A widow’s (dowager’s) hump – or hyperkyphosis – is an excessive curvature of the spine. Usually this occurs in the thoracic (chest) part of the spinal column. Often it is also simply called kyphosis, which means a […]
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How to take a good medical history Asking questions (or as we call it ‘taking a history’) is a doctor’s most important skill. Full stop. Why? 80% of the diagnosis comes from the history (10% examination, 10% tests). History taking is about knowing the questions to ask, careful listening to the answers (and recording them). […]
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