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Welsh Speaking Case Study Needed for Channel S4C Programme!
We are looking for someone with a thyroid disorder who would be keen to share their story and experiences. As this is a series for S4C, the person would need to be a Welsh speaker. If possible, we would like to feature someone who has been severely affected by the condition or has undergone or is about to undergo treatment so that the viewers can grasp the potential severity of the illness. We will travel to the individual for the filming, which we hope to do towards the end of February/beginning of March and they can be in any location in Wales. The filming would not take any longer than half a day and would mainly involve an interview." If anyone is interesed, or knows someone who might be interested, please contact us on 01255 820407 or send us an email.
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Thyroxine replacement in pregnancy and pre-conception: Nikki Kieffer states, "This initial study showed a distinct lack of knowledge in both GPs and patients."
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GMC Launch Formal Consultation on Good Medical Practice
Good Medical Practice Good Medical Practice is the GMC's core guidance for doctors. It sets out the standards, principles and values expected of all doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). It also plays a vital role in keeping patients safe and improving professional standards, and they want to ensure it remains up-to-date and relevant to doctors in their day to day practice. The current edition of Good Medical Practice was last published in November 2006. The GMC reviews the guidance every five years to make sure it reflects current practice across the UK and reflects what doctors, patients, employers, educators and others with an interest think are important issues. The consultation is open to anyone who wishes to respond to the issues in the revised guidance. This is your chance to have your say. You will need to read the consultation draft of Good Medical Practice 2012 (pdf, 238Kb) and take part by completing one of three online questionnaires on the GMC's online consultation website. The questionnaires are for organisations and individuals, individual doctors and other healthcare professionals or individual patients and the public.
Taken from Patient Information Forum - http://www.pifonline.org.uk/
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General Practitioner Committee (GPC)
GP leaders have said they are concerned giving patients access to their online record could risk their medical history being used against them, and may create more work for GPs having to explain medical terms to worried patients. The BMA's General Practitioner Committee on Thursday discussed the issues associated with the government's announcement that all patients will have access to their GP medical record online by 2015. Chairman Dr Laurence Buckman said the committee did not think giving patients access to their records was a bad idea. However, he said the GPC did have significant concerns about a number of issues including security and ensuring patients were not coerced into sharing their records with a third party. Dr Buckman said a variety of people - such as lawyers, employers or insurance companies - would be interested in seeing a person's medical and could potentially use the information against them. "There are a variety of abusive and inappropriate relationships where the information stored on someone else's record is of interest to a third party," he said. "That doesn't mean they shouldn't have access, but we need a way of doing it so the patient is protected." The GPC was also worried about people reading something in their records which they did not understand and becoming alarmed. This would result in additional work for the practice as they would call for an explanation. It would also mean doctors having to translate medical terms to make it appropriate for patients. He gave the example of miscarriages being called abortions in medical terms, when the word abortion meant a termination to members of the public. Taken from EHealth Insider:
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Patient Information Forum (PiF) The event will be held in Central London from 1400-1630 on the 8th of February 2012. They will be able to make a maximum payment of up to £25 as contribution to each attendee for costs incurred in attending. Each attendee will receive a copy of both reports. Anyone who is interested in attending can contact Mark Duman at chair@pifonline.org.uk
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Food Standards Agency and Gluten Labelling As quite a number of people with thyroid problems also have issues with gluten, the new food labelling regulations described below may be of relevance.
Visit the FSA website page for links to further information:
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Views Sought by DOH - Access to Health Records On 29th November 2011 the Chancellor announced as part of the Autumn Statement and Growth Review that: "The government will ensure all NHS patients can access their personal GP records online by the end of this Parliament." Further recommendations on how this should be approached were published on 10th January 2012 by the NHS Future Forum in their Information report. The Department of Health in England want to ensure that patients, carers, GPs and primary health care teams and staff providing Informatics services for them get the support that they need for online access to GP Records to be of real benefit to them in their practice or care. Over the next week they would like to invite you to share your initial views and ideas on what support you believe is most needed. You can share your views by:
Information taken from the Patient Information Forum
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Dr John C Lowe – Sadly Missed
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GP Practice of Choice Pilot Programme The Department of Health are launching a pilot programme that aims to make it easier for commuters in the pilot areas, who are often away from their local area during the working day, to see their doctor where it suits them. The one year pilot will start in April 2012 and will be subject to an independent evaluation. It allows patients for the first time to choose whether to register with a practice close to their workplace or home, without worrying about practice boundaries. The primary care trusts (PCTs) involved in the scheme pilot are Westminster, City and Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Manchester, Salford and Nottingham City. GP practices in these PCT areas will join the pilot on a voluntary basis. For more information go to
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From 25 - 31 January 2012 the British Thyroid Foundation has teamed up with NHS Choices and talkhealth to present an Online Clinic on Thyroid Disorders. Clinical experts Professor Edzard Ernst, Professor Colin Dayan, Professor John Lazarus and Dr Petros Perros will be available to answer questions about thyroid disorders, any issues surrounding treatment and to provide you with valuable help and guidance. You can post your questions for the experts anytime from now until the clinic finishes. From 25 - 31 January 2012 when the clinic is live you can enter into discussions with the experts when they answer your questions. For more information on the online clinic please click the link below.
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Thyroid UK has been sent the following Press Release:
-----//----- www.supportdrmyhill.co.uk was set up to keep patients, friends and supporters of Dr Myhill informed of developments in her case. It was a very happy time when the GMC finally cancelled the Fitness to Practise Hearing. Whilst it gives us no pleasure to report it we feel there is also a responsibility to keep Sarah's friends and supporters appraised of other relevant developments. Just prior to Christmas, the website complainant, clinical scientist Stuart Jones, faced his own Fitness to Practise Hearing before his professional body, the Health Professions Council for making disparaging, inappropriate and unprofessional comments on a public forum about Dr Myhill. Dr Myhill was called upon to give evidence at the Hearing. Jones changed his plea to guilty during the Hearing and I would stress that the Hearing was NOT about Jones reporting Dr Myhill to the GMC; we have always maintained that he was within his rights to do so if he was concerned about the content of her website. The HPC, however, decided that his conduct on the Bad Science website fell short of what was required of him and a caution has been placed on his record for a two-year period. Please note that replies to this website DO NOT go direct to Dr Myhill. If you wish to send her a personal message please do so by addressing it to office@doctormyhill.co.uk Wishing you all a very happy 2012 and hoping it is a good year for us all.
During the action against Dr Myhill by the GMC nearly 5,000 supporters and patients signed an online petition protesting at the GMC's action, and over 2,000 letters and emails were also sent to the GMC providing evidence of how the doctor had helped them regain their health. The story was widely covered by the media and a number of online forums were set up in support of Dr Myhill. ----//---- |
New Study A new study is about to start to understand how to treat people with subclinical hypothyroidism. Dr Patricia Kearney, Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, UCC is one of a group of researchers from European Universities who will participate in a new research project investigating current treatment practices for people who suffer from a mildly underactive thyroid gland. The researchers met recently with medical experts from around Europe at the University of Glasgow for the inaugural meeting for the new study titled: "Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Subclinical Hypo-Thyroidism Trial" (TRUST). It is funded by a 6 Million Euro grant from the EU's FP7 programme.
The thyroid gland is located in the neck and controls how quickly the body uses energy and produces proteins; it also controls how sensitive the body is to various hormones. A mildly underactive thyroid, a condition also known as subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) affects around one in six people over the age of 65 and has been linked to various health problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, in later life. The project will mean academics from University College Cork will collaborate with experts in ageing, thyroid problems and vascular disease from around Europe, including researchers from the Leiden University Medical Centre and Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing, Netherlands and University of Berne, Switzerland. Dr Patricia Kearney, Department of Epidemiology & Public Health will lead the study for Ireland. Speaking about the research project, Dr Kearney said: "I am delighted to formally announce the launch of the TRUST project. This international collaboration involves four countries - Scotland, the Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland. It brings together experts in multiple disciplines, including geriatrics, primary care, endocrinology, cardiovascular disease, metabolic medicine, and biostatistics, as well as the patient support group, Thyroid Federation International. "The project has the potential to significantly improve the health and well-being of older people with subclinical hypothyroidism, resolving uncertainties about how best to manage this common condition." Article URL: medicalnewstoday.com/releases/238100.php |
Thyroid UK is very pleased to inform you that, despite the best efforts of the GMC's expert witness, Dr Thomas Akintewe, Consultant Diabetologist and Endocrinologist, Dr Skinner's Fitness to Practise Hearing on 17th November 2011 concluded with the Panel deciding his fitness to practise is no longer impaired and that, "Your conditions are revoked forthwith and you are now free to practise without restriction within the United Kingdom." The Panel made particular reference to the fact that "neither party bears any burden of proof and that the Panel need only consider whether your current practice and beliefs still show disregard of your clinical responsibilities towards your patients and whether they demonstrate that you now have insight." They also stated, "The Panel notes that the central issue in this case is the propriety of prescribing thyroxine to patients who are judged to exhibit symptoms and/or signs of hypothyroidism, but whose biochemical test results fall within a conventionally accepted reference range, which is generally interpreted as implying "normality". It is not within the Panel's remit to pronounce on the correctness or otherwise of your approach other than by assuring itself that appropriate steps are being taken by you to ensure its safety. However the Panel cannot fail to take notice of the fact that your approach to treatment, whereby both clinical and biochemical parameters are assessed, falls within the guidelines of 'Good Medical Practice'. In this respect your assessment of your patients does not differ from Dr Akintewe. The difference of approach lies in the weight given to the respective clinical and biochemical findings." The most important statement (in respect of many of us who are on natural thyroid hormone) made by the Panel was, "The Panel is satisfied that the procedures you have in place to safeguard those patients referred to you are adequate. In reference to your prescription of the unlicensed drug Armour Thyroid, the Panel is content with your reasoning behind its prescription." Thyroid UK hopes that this outcome and the comments made by the GMC panel will encourage some doctors to a) give a trial of levothyroxine to patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and b) prescribe natural thyroid hormone to patients who do not do well on levothyroxine. What we need now is for some actual research on these topics and we are very happy to see that one such trial is about to start - (see the news item above Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Subclinical Hypothyroidism Trial (TRUST) ) Thyroid UK would like to offer its congratulations to Dr Gordon Skinner on this wonderful outcome! Click here to download a PDF of the full 'Determination on Impairment' Click the links below to download PDFs of the transcripts for each day of the hearing.
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Page last uploaded Friday, February 3, 2012 Website by Anna Laurie © Content copyright Thyroid UK |
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Thyroid UK - Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 6254073. Registered Charity Number: 1125270 Registered office: 32 Darcy Road, St Osyth, Clacton on Sea, Essex, CO16 8QF |
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"As part of the series we feature personal stories from people who are currently living with a certain illness or condition. We have found these items to be very successful in the past in raising awareness and for helping people to understand what it's really like living with a health condition day to day. During this series we are keen to raise awareness of thyroid conditions, in particular overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and Graves's disease. However, we are also interested in underactive thyroid and other thyroid disorders. 
Thyroxine is essential for a baby's development and because the baby's own thyroid gland doesn't produce thyroid hormones until the 12th week, it is very important that the mother has a good supply for herslelf and her baby. 
The General Medical Council have launched a formal consultation to help them shape Good Medical Practice for the future. Throughout 2011they encouraged debate and discussion about what is good medical practice today and what makes a good doctor. But now, with the launch of this consultation, it's your chance to have your say on the revised text of Good Medical Practice.
PiF is developing two guides on personal health records (PHRs), one a call to action for policy makers, clinicians and commissioners and the second a PiF Guide explaining the topic. In addition to a literature review and interviews with subject matter experts, PiF wishes to host three events to help inform the development of these Guides.
The Agency has produced a factsheet to help people who have an intolerance to gluten (a protein found in cereals) understand a new food labelling law, which came into force on 1 January 2012. Gluten intolerance is a serious illness that can result in damage to the digestive system so foods are not absorbed properly, which can lead to poor growth, anaemia and bone disease.
Clinical Scientist Stuart Jones has been found guilty
TRUST researchers will follow 3,000 older subjects over a five year period in an attempt to better understand how to treat people who suffer from subclinical hypothyroidism. Half of the subjects will be treated with a hormone replacement drug, thyroxine, while the other half will be given a placebo; both groups will then be monitored to evaluate how they respond to the treatments.