College News - March 2010RCPE Calls on Scottish Government to Ban Smoking in Cars***EMBARGO: NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST BEFORE 00:01HRS 24 MARCH 2010*** RCPE Press Release RCPE CALLS ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO BAN SMOKING IN CARS Speaking shortly after the publication of the Royal College of Physicians of London’s report on Passive Smoking in Children, Dr Neil Dewhurst, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE), said, “Passive smoking exposure levels in children have fallen by 40% in Scotland since the introduction of smoke-free legislation, but exposure levels in children of smokers remain high and demand further legislative action. We fully endorse today’s report which calls for an extension of smoke-free legislation throughout the UK in order to include public areas frequented by children and in cars.” “The evidence is compelling. Passive smoking exposure significantly increases the risk of a range of diseases in children. It is estimated that over 4000 new cases of respiratory infection, wheeze and asthma in Scottish children could be avoided every year by reducing the exposure of children to passive smoking.” “Scotland has led the UK in the introduction of smoke-free legislation and we call on the Scottish Government to extend this legislation as a matter of priority”. ENDS Contact: Graeme McAlister on 0131-247-3693 or 07808-939395 Fitness for Work: a Guide for Hospital DoctorsFrom 6 April 2010 a new statement of Fitness for Work (also known as the 'fit note') will be introduced across Scotland, England and Wales which will enable doctors to give their patients more helpful advice about returning to work. RCPE SAS Survey ResultsThe RCPE recently circulated a targeted survey on the educational and support needs of SAS doctors in medicine. This survey was responded to by 56% of our SAS Fellows and Members, by a number of SAS doctors outwith the RCPE and had a number of key findings in relation to SAS doctors. Review of Foundation ProgrammeFellows and Members may be interested in responding to parallel consultation exercises on the above currently being undertaken by Medical Education England and by the Scottish Government Health Department. GMC Update/Consultation on RevalidationThe GMC has recently published ‘The Way ahead’, a consultation
document on the revalidation process.
Fellows and Members may be interested to access details of the GMC’s revalidation consultation Perth Physician Elected as New RCPE PresidentDr Neil Dewhurst has been elected as the next President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE). Dr Neil Dewhurst, Consultant Cardiologist and General Physician, Perth Royal Infirmary, and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Medicine, University of Dundee, is a highly regarded consultant with over 30 years of experience gained in both District and Teaching Hospitals in Scotland and England. In parallel to his professional commitments, Dr Neil Dewhurst has been heavily involved in improving medical standards of care throughout the UK and internationally in his previous role as Medical Director of MRCP(UK). MRCP(UK) is the examining body which oversees the internationally-recognised Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP (UK)) examination which assesses doctors’ clinical competency and enables doctors to enter specialist training in order to become consultants. Dr Dewhurst took up post on 1 March 2010 and will serve for 3 years. He takes over from Prof Sir Neil Douglas, under whose leadership the RCPE has been heavily involved in influencing public health policy in Scotland, most notably in relation to smoking and alcohol, and medical training at both a Scottish and UK level. Dr Neil Dewhurst, President of the RCPE, said, “The RCPE has been at the forefront of increasing medical standards of care throughout Scotland and internationally, and in developing awareness around the need for equal access to the provision of high quality medical care. As President, my priorities will be to strive to ensure that the quality of care provided to patients is not compromised as a result of the ever-increasing pressures placed on the profession and that the views of practicing doctors continue to be represented in relation to quality of care and training issues. “Data is now emerging which has highlighted real concerns about the adverse impact of the European Working Time Regulation on both patient safety and training in Scotland since its implementation in August 2009. It is clear that many hospital rotas, while appearing to be compliant on paper are not compliant in reality, that doctors are still having to work longer hours in order to plug gaps in rotas and that there is a danger that patient safety could be compromised as a result. We have to find ways of addressing these challenges as a matter of urgency and I look forward to working with doctors, policymakers and related organisations in this area.” ENDS Contact: Graeme McAlister on 0131-247-3693 or 07808-939395 Notes to Editors Photographs of Dr Neil Dewhurst can be obtained by contacting Graeme McAlister at the above numbers or by e-mail – g.mcalister@rcpe.ac.uk
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