Medact’s blog brings together the online health community. We blog our own pieces as well as co-host articles written by other bloggers who work on the issues of poverty, violence, injustice and inequality.
First we closed our doors to patients – and now doctors too?
Despite a staff shortfall, the government has blocked visas for 400 doctors recruited by the NHS. Is government prioritising its commitment to immigration controls over patient well-being and public health?
Healthcare charging – unethical practice, unacceptable outcomes
A junior doctor writes about the harm to patients caused by the latest changes to the NHS regulations expanding the scope of charging migrants for healthcare, arguing that it complicates crucial decisions made by health professionals.
The Cake Sale
A Medact member questions our appetite for cake sales in hospital foyers.
Using NHS staff as border guards undermines their integrity and professional standards
What price are NHS health professionals willing to pay for a more ‘affordable’ service?
Health care in protracted crises – reflections from Myanmar
“Is it better?” “It’s different” While setting off on a 3-day trip of getting eaten by leeches and being run down by cattle, I am curious to gain an insight into the life of my hiking guide who originates from one of the mountain villages of the Shan state in Myanmar....
Sick of bad hospital food? 5 steps you can take
Medact’s work to improve hospital food follows from our new report, “Digesting The Indigestible”. But if you want to take more direct action, there is also our Campaign Toolkit, with plenty of ideas, inspiration and actions you can take to campaign for better hospital...
Hospital Food Case Study – North Bristol NHS
North Bristol NHS is the largest hospital trust in the South West serving nearly a million people from Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. It also has a wider catchment area of around 3 million people who come from further afield to use their specialist...
Refugee first aid in Calais
Last weekend a group of 7 doctors and medical students from the Medact Refugee Solidarity Group drove to Calais to volunteer with the "Refugee First Aid and Support Team" - a group of primarily UK-based medics attempting to provide basic first aid to the refugee...
Hospital Food Case Study – Nottingham University Hospitals
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH)’s 90 wards and 1,700 beds provide health services to 2.5 million people in the city of Nottingham, as well as specialist services for an additional 3-4 million further afield. They are also one of the largest employers in the...
How to improve food at your hospital – useful links
If you want to get involved with campaigning for healthier and more sustainable food in your hospital, or in your community in general, you are not alone.
Volunteer first aid trip to Calais and Dunkirk
Benjamin Eder, member of the Refugee Solidarity Group writes about upcoming volunteer trip to Calais and Dunkirk. Next weekend from the 21st to 24th September, a team of us from Medact Refugee Solidarity Group are going to Calais and Dunkirk to help the Refugee First...
Catastrophic spread of cholera as war, siege and political instability batters Yemen
Written by Yemeni Physician and Public health specialist, Nada Taqi, for Medact. This article is part of a blog series drawing attention to overlooked conflict zones. The series examines man-made disasters, which despite causing years of human suffering and...