BMJ  2008;336:62-63 (12 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.39454.738912.4E

News

Prime minister promises raft of new screening tests

¹ London

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Gordon Brown has promised an array of screening tests designed to shift the focus of the NHS towards prevention rather than cure and to provide more "personal and responsive" services.

In a speech delivered on Monday at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Widwifery at King’s College London, Mr Brown promised "new access to check-ups, screening tests, and preventive health vaccines."

He said that doctors would become advisers as well as physicians, nurses would become trainers as well as carers, and patients would be not just consumers but partners in their care.

The announcement follows that given last week of the creation of an NHS constitution, setting out rights and responsibilities in health care (bmj.com doi: 10.1136/bmj.39454.706563.DB).

Along with extended opening hours of GPs’ surgeries, tougher action on failing organisations, and greater involvement of patients, these proposals form the backbone of the latest phase of the government’s . . . [Full text of this article]

Related Articles

A few lessons in screening for Gordon Brown

Julian Tudor Hart
BMJ 2008 336: 123. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Ladas and MOTs

Des Spence
BMJ 2008 336: 160. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Next to cleanliness

Fiona Godlee
BMJ 2008 336: 0. [Extract] [Full Text]

Gordon Brown’s agenda for the NHS

Chris Ham
BMJ 2008 336: 53-54. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Prime minister’s office denies plans to withhold treatment from people with unhealthy lifestyles

Caroline White
BMJ 2008 336: 66. [Extract] [Full Text]

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Letter to the Editor

Andrew Elman
bmj.com, 25 Jan 2008 [Full text]