Other UK News In Brief

Scotland's GP Leader Adds To English Health Reform Criticism

The leader of Scotland’s GPs has added his voice to the growing criticism of the health reforms that are being proposed in England. He raised concerns that the changes would commercialise the NHS and increase competition between GP providers. 

Addressing the Annual Conference of Scottish Local Medical Committees (LMCs) in Clydebank, Dr Dean Marshall, Chairman of the British Medical Association’s Scottish General Practitioners Committee, said: 

"I want to send a message to our politicians in both England and Scotland. Our health service is not a factory, the health service cannot be treated like a commercial enterprise, our patients are not a commodity. "We do not support the market based reforms being pushed through in England, where the consequences for patients could be severe indeed. Scotland’s GPs will support colleagues in England to preserve the founding principles of the NHS."

 In a speech that questioned "What next for Scottish General Practice?" Dr Marshall said that the next Scottish Government should work in partnership with GPs to develop a new strategy to drive the service forward.

Motorsport And Auto Manufacturers Sign Up To Open Their Doors

The UK automotive sector has responded swiftly to government calls for action to improve the image of manufacturing and to attract the brightest and best talent into industry. As part of See Inside Manufacturing nearly 30 companies will throw open their doors in October so that school children and students can get a look behind the scenes at what a career in manufacturing or engineering can offer. In June there will be a number of co-ordinated regional events to promote the open days through teachers and careers advisers. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Young people buy and use the latest gadgets and products but we also need them to think how exciting it could be to design, engineer or make them too. We want them to See Inside Manufacturing and inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to create a whole range of new iconic UK based products that are exported worldwide.” See Inside Manufacturing will focus on young people to encourage take up of Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects as well as undergraduates considering their future career options. All the automotive activities are being co-ordinated by the joint industry/government Automotive Council.

Willetts Appoints Breakwell At Student Loans Company

Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts, announced the appointment of a new non-executive director of the Student Loans Company Limited (SLC). The new SLC Non-Executive Director is Professor Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath. Professor Breakwell said: "I welcome the opportunity to play a key role in the Student Loans Company at what is a key moment in Higher Education history. I look forward to helping to guide the Company towards providing a more efficient and responsive service to meet the needs of students in this country." David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said: “With the vast knowledge of the higher education sector that Professor Breakwell has, this appointment will further strengthen the management of the Student Loans Company.”

(BMcN/GK)