The Live Wire

Policy and Media

Periodically the College will issue statements about issues relating to health and health policy. The College has a number of "hot topics", these are issues which are of particular concern to the College and are detailed below.

Press releases

You can view all of our press releases at http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/news/index.asp

Hot topics

Acute medicine
The College believes that good delivery of acute medical care can mean the difference between life and death. Yet such care has traditionally been 'fitted in' by specialists working in other areas of medicine. Changes to this unsatisfactory system have already begun, as evidenced by the recognition of acute medicine with its own training programme. More information regarding the College’s activities on Acute Medicine is available on our website. [Top]


Alcohol
The College is concerned about the changes to the Licensing Laws and the effect that this will have on binge drinking. We believe there should have been more measures in the Public Health White Paper to tackle the health effects of alcohol related harm.

European Working Time Directive (EWTD)
In this section you will find documents and links related to the College's activities on implementation of the European Working Time Directive. [Top]


Health Care Associated Infection
With the increased emphasis on health care associated infections the College will be responding to consultations and preparing statements on this issue. [Top]


Obesity
In February 2004 the College, in conjunction with the Faculty of Public Health and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, produced a report, Storing up problems: the medical case for a slimmer nation. The College believes that if we are to reduce the threat to the health of millions of Britons from the consequences of obesity, we must take immediate and concerted action with a comprehensive national strategy organised across many fronts.

Smoking
For over 40 years the College has been concerned about smoking and its effect on the nation’s health. We believe the time has come for legislation to make public places smoke free.

College statements

Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill: a consultation

Written evidence to Health Select Committee Inquiry on Workforce Needs and Planning for the Health Service, March 2006

Written Evidence to the Health Select Committee Inquiry on ISTCs, February 2006

Response to the smoking components of the Health Bill

Payment by results briefing

Response to Health Care Associated Infection Consultation

Response to consultation on the smokefree elements of the Health Improvement and Protection Bill

RCP priorities for the next UK Government

Health Committee inquiry - the Government's Public Health White Paper


Changes to licensing laws - key issues


Clarification of RCP position on the Assisted Dying Bill


Statement on the relationship between physicians and the biomedical industries


RCP Comment on 'Choosing Health' White Paper

RCP Comment on Health Select Committee Report on The Provision of Allergy Services

Written evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill [HL]


Briefing on the Mental Capacity Bill


Response to Human Tissue Bill


Response to Choosing Health?


Written evidence to Health Select Committee Inquiry into the Provision of Allergy Services

Royal College of Physicians

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