blogs

Britain’s growing elderly population – a massive challenge
The UK is ‘woefully under-prepared for the social and economic challenges presented by an ageing society,…

Belgium becomes world leader in organ removal
According to a recent report Belgium is now the ‘world leader’ in organ removal after euthanasia.
The…

Christians: inherently generous?
New research shows that Christians are more generous than the general population when it comes to donation,…

‘Life is but a breath’ – medical mission in Ecuador
As physicians in the UK we see tragedies and heartbreak; the stillborn baby, the young father who dies…

Speaking out for truth and justice – a Christian responsibility
Speaking out for truth and justice is just one of many responsibilities we have as Christians. But I…

Woman refuses $10,000 to abort surrogate baby with special needs
This is a bizarre story from the US state of Connecticut which appeared on CNN today but deserves far…

Fresh warning sounded to UK as euthanasia deaths increase by 25% in Belgium in just one year
Things are moving at a frightening pace in Belgium.
Further to my recent ten year review in December…

The duties of a physician – a Puritan’s prescription
Richard Baxter (1615-1691), author of The Saint's Everlasting Rest and The Reformed Pastor, was known…

‘Amour’ is a dangerously seductive piece of pro-euthanasia propaganda
Margaret Morganroth Gullette is Resident Scholar of the Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University…

Landmark Irish ‘right to die’ case is based on flawed assumption
Marie Fleming (pictured) is a 59 year old former Irish lecturer who has multiple sclerosis and wants…

Another unworkable proposal from NHS ‘experts’ on morning-after pill
An influential group of NHS experts is urging the Scottish Government to allow the morning-after pill…
NICE and GP consortia. What criteria should we use in deciding how to distribute scarce medical resources? Some help from St Paul.
The government’s drug rationing body, NICE, is to lose its power to turn down new medicines for use in the NHS, but will continue to write guidelines for doctors on the best treatments for their patients. In addition, the current limit on the cost of new drugs – around £30,000 per quality adjusted life year […]
UK retailers are not being honest about the mode of action of new morning-after-pill ellaOne (ulipristal acetate)
Earlier this week the news broke that a new ‘morning-after pill’ was being sold online in Britain by a London-based company called HealthExpress. In fact ellaOne (Ulipristal acetate) has been available on prescription in the UK since May 2009. It was granted marketing authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) in March 2009 and the […]
Powerful arguments advanced in UK parliament for a change in the law to ensure properly informed consent for abortion
Last night Nadine Dorries, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, spoke in an adjournment debate on the subject of informed consent for termination of pregnancy. Adjournment debates allow the House of Commons to hold a general open-ended debate on a subject or a government policy without reaching a formal decision about it. This is often a […]
David Nutt’s report on the harmful effects of alcohol should prompt the government to adopt evidence-based protection strategies
Alcohol is more harmful than heroin or crack, according to a study published in medical journal the Lancet. The report, which is co-authored by former UK chief drugs adviser Professor David Nutt, ranks 20 drugs on 16 measures of harm to users and to wider society. Each drug was scored for harms including mental and […]
Are British Christians too fat? Almost certainly! But what should we be doing about it?
New research this week has shown that two-thirds of Britons are overweight or obese – making us the fattest country in Europe. We are also the fourth fattest nation in the world behind only Australia (71.1 per cent), the US (69.9 per cent) and the United Arab Emirates (68.4 per cent). According to research company […]
The real answer to reducing maternal mortality is not ‘safe’ abortion but better education, obstetric and midwifery care, CMF tells DFID
The Christian Medical Fellowship has now published its submission to the Department for International Development (DFID) Consultation on Maternal Health Strategy: ‘Choice for women: wanted pregnancies, safe births’ The Government proposals have been criticised for appearing to link the provision of abortion services with international development aid as DFID says one of its key proposals […]
New survey reveals widespread ignorance about the level of abortion in Britain
Today, on the 43rd anniversary of the passing of the Abortion Act, Christian Concern has launched a new campaign urging politicians and members of the public to ‘stop and think’ about abortion. The event was marked with a silent vigil outside the Houses of Parliament followed by a national service of lament in Westminster addressed […]
Jesus’ Nazareth Manifesto as a basis for healthcare mission
Jesus Christ’s dynamic entry into first century Palestine was marked by miraculous healing of many illnesses for which even today there are no known treatments. But along with his compassion to restore health he brought the gospel message of healing of broken relationships – between human beings, between human beings and the planet and most […]
The new healthcare professionals’ group seeking to legalise assisted suicide includes a number of well known campaigners
A new group of ‘health professionals’ has this week joined the growing number of ‘societies’ and ‘forums’ seeking legal permission for doctors to assist with suicide. ‘Healthcare Professionals for Change’ follows on the heels of Libby Wilson’s FATE (Friends at the End), Michael Iriwin’s SOARS (Society for Old Age Rational Suicide), Philip Nitschke’s EXIT International […]
If you want to know about advances in the treatment of spinal cord injury don’t read any British newspaper or ask the BBC
Reading the reports about the new embryonic stem cell trial for spinal cord injury that have been all over the BBC and the British papers today I am struggling to know what all the fuss is about and why in fact it is even news at all. I’ve come to the conclusion that it is […]
Christine MCafferty hoist on her own petard – full text of amended resolution on right to conscientious objection in lawful medical care
I recently blogged on the Council of Europe’s 7 October decision to throw out a resolution (see original wording) seeking to force health professionals across Europe to be involved in abortion. As a result of the humiliating defeat of pro-abortion activists the resolution actually passed was ironically one of strongest defences of conscientious objection in European […]
Sir Michael Caine’s report of his father’s death is an opportunity to educate the public about what good palliative care can achieve
Sir Michael Caine (pictured) has revealed how he asked a doctor to help his terminally ill father to die. Maurice Micklewhite, a Billingsgate fish market porter, apparently died in hospital at the age of 56 in 1955 after suffering from liver cancer. Sir Michael told Classic FM: ‘My father had cancer of the liver and […]