Category Archives: Health

Wigan Council’s Health Fascism Over A Cheese Sarnie

April 30, 2010 8:39 am \

You really couldn’t make this up:

staff at a nursery in Pemberton, near Wigan, have confiscated a cheese sandwich belonging to a two-year-old pupil, Jack Ormisher. Its failing was to contain neither lettuce nor tomato.

Sadly, predictably, this isn’t some off-the-reservation jobsworth acting out on an unsanctioned limb. This is exactly what Wigan Council says should happen, because of course they know more about how to bring up children than parents do:

Wigan Council has since confirmed that the straight-up combination of cheese and bread contravenes its healthy eating guidelines — and fully supported the cheese-snatchers. “The centre has a list of recommended healthy food, according to national guidelines, which children are encouraged to eat,” said a spokesman. “A cheese sandwich would not feature on the list.”

In colloquial parlance I believe the correct term to use is “WTF?”  You may choose to use your own stronger exclamation of disbelief if you like.

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Posted in: Food, Health, lack of Clue, local councils \ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

BCA Throw In The Towel

April 15, 2010 1:58 pm \

The British Chiropractic Association has thrown in the towel and dropped its case against science writer Simon Singh.  This means that Simon has won his case after dedicating two years of his life and over £200,000 to defending his opinions.

Simon’s case has highlighted the desperate need for the reform of libel laws in the UK.  It has also highlighted the issues of claims made by some alternative health practitioners and genuine scientific discussion.

That Simon has won his case is good news.  Libel reform is needed now.  It needs to be a major overhaul to prevent libel tourism and legal bullying (this story from The Spectator about Charlie Whelan comes to mind).  As Simon says (I did try not to say that, honest!) “The case is not quite over”.

If the BCA has any honour it should now pay all of Simon’s legal costs from this case.  It was the BCA who instigated the legal battle.

Do read the Sense About Science report on the BCA climbdown.  It is well worth reading.

I raise my cup of Darjeeling to Simon for having the massive determination to fight his corner and be the catalyst for change in the UK libel laws.

Simon, you rock!

Posted in: Alternative Health, campaigning, freedom of speech \ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Simon Singh Wins

April 1, 2010 12:05 pm \

News comes this morning of Simon Singh winning his appeal as part of his defence against a libel claim by the British Chiropractic Association.

Stephen Curry has written a fine piece about the delivery of the judgment and highlighting some parts of it.

The Guardian reports on Simon’s victory here (and continues with points about why libel reform is needed).

Download the judgment for yourself and read the thoughts of the three most senior judges in the UK.  Seems Mr Justice Eady was a bit off the mark in his initial judgment.  But Mr Justice Eady was the judge responsible for the Nightjack judgment.

Paragraph 34 in particular is something that deserves quoting.

As is the final paragraph, which states simply “This appeal must be allowed.”

As Index On Censorship reminds us

The judgment criticised the BCA, saying its action had created an “unhappy impression” that the case was “an endeavour by the BCA to silence one of its critics”.

This case has cost Simon 2 years of his life and around £200,000.

Sense About Science comments on the judgment here.

James O’Malley has interviews with Simon Singh and his lawyer, Robert Dougan.

Now why are our MPs blocking libel reform?

Posted in: Alternative Health, campaigning, freedom of speech \ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Unison Spreading Fear Through Propaganda

March 15, 2010 11:31 am \

It should come as no surprise as we head towards a General Election that Unison comes along with a piece of pathetic fear spreading propaganda as a pro-Labour campaign.  Before I respond to this piece of garbage with some clear and simple home truths, let me make my stance clear.

Your average leftie may well start to rant about me being anti-union.  That is complete and utter garbage.  I speak as a former workplace union rep.  I am not anti-union nor am I anti management.  I am anti poor peformance, anti-stupidity and anti-impracticality.  Wherever it may come from, whether it is workers or management.  My response to an article by Harry Phibbs is one such example.  Some good ideas, some others not practical (in my view).

In my experience neither side holds the monopoly on best practice.  Neither holds the monopoly on half-wittedness.  And the local authorities I’ve seen have plenty of areas where things can be massively improved.  Note how I say improved and not cut.  Service provision can be improved by thorough assessment, review and retargeting.  Waste should be cut.  It’s not rocket science, it’s best value.  I speak from personal experience here.  Real world experience from both sides of the equation.

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Posted in: bad government ideas, campaigning, government, lack of Clue, NHS, Policing, Politics \ Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GPs As Careers Advisors?

January 14, 2010 3:27 pm \

Since when have GPs been career advisors?  I ask this because today I saw a GP completely contradict what they had said to a patient a couple of months ago.  GPs are paid a very good salary to provide healthcare and advice related to healthcare.

They are not paid to lecture patients on careers about which they know nothing.  They are not paid to offer financial advice.  They are not paid to offer advice on issues to do with housing.

Don’t offer advice on subject and situations about which you know precious little.  If you want to do something to help improve the situation then ask “What can I do to help improve the situation?” and the patient will tell you.

Did you know that you actually added to the stress your patient was feeling?  Not a very sensible thing to do really.  Thanks very much for that, more clearing up mess not of my own making.  Really helpful stuff.

Next time I think the patient will be seeing a different GP.

One who actually listens, considers and then offers constructive advice.

Posted in: Health, NHS, Stress \ Tagged: , , , ,