GPs need to keep abreast of genetics

A need for general practitioners and primary care teams to acquire greater knowledge of the “new genetics” was emphasised by Dr Kenneth Calman, the government's chief medical officer, in evidence last week to the Commons science and technology committee's inquiry into human genetics. He said that unless general practitioners understood genetics and how to take a good family history an abnormality could be missed.

Dr Calman said that the Department of Health was engaged in a long term programme of professional education to develop genetic services, backed by good quality counselling at the time when it is needed. Educational material had been circulated to family doctors and a new paper, a progress guide to genetics, would be sent out soon.

Dr Calman predicted “significant advances” over the next five to 10 years not only in gene therapy but in the understanding of the pathogenesis of disease and the ability to predict health. He said that the NHS had to be ready to meet developments as they occur and put them into practice for the benefit of the population.

BMA chairman explains disillusionment with NHS

“Why do so many senior members of the profession crave early retirement, and so many juniors disappear so disconcertingly at the very threshold of a promising career? Why the unprecedented stress, the tragic suicides, the flight to other lands?”

The chairman of the BMA council, Dr Sandy Macara, posed these questions in his state of the nation address to the association's junior members forum in Belfast last weekend. He suggested that some of the answers could be found by comparing three of …