Misfortunes of war
Article Abstract:
A mystery illness, suffered by UK and US troops who participated in the Persian Gulf War 1991, is discussed. Symptoms, including breathing problems, sickness, exhaustion, headaches, and paralysed facial and eye muscles, were originally thought to be caused by stress. This could still be a contributory factor, but other possible causes being researched are oil fires, chemical or biological warfare, exposure to radiation, drugs, or parasites. In the UK, where a Gulf Families' Crisis Line is being run by Wendy Morris, the Ministry of Defence will not make any commitment to investigating the illness until it receives evidence of its existence. In the US, where there is also a help line run by Victor Silvester, Congress is making investigations. The experience of UK sufferer, Major Hilary Jones, is described.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1993
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Learning to listen
Article Abstract:
Patient satisfaction in hospitals has been taken a step further with the announcement of an independent review of complaints about the National Health Service (NHS) by Virginia Bottomley. The review will allow patients to have their complaints dealt with quickly. Some hospitals have already appointed patients' representatives, to solve problems quickly on the spot. The key to making this work is patient confidentiality, as many patients are worried about the recriminations of complaining. The work of patient representative June Leat, is also discussed.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1993
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Treatment lottery: life-threatening inequalities in access to treatment have led to demands for a national plan to combat breast cancer
Article Abstract:
The government is being urged to tackle the inequalities in breast cancer treatment so that women are not referred to surgeons who have no specialist breast cancer knowledge, as often happens. There is a high death rate for breast cancer in Britain due to bad management and regional variations, and the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund wants national standards for breast care.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1995
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