News

WebMonitor

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

www.ombudsman.org.uk

These are the same person, with an interesting site which gives details of the cases she has investigated and reports produced. Practical, down to earth and full of examples of incompetence and inefficiency which should receive more attention than they do.

House of Commons Health Select Committee

www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm/cmhealth.htm An excellent place to keep up to date with contemporary issues. At present they are investigating the OFT community pharmacy report, the Victoria Climbie inquiry, provision of maternity services and have just finished foundation trusts.

Association of Radical Midwives

www.radmid.demon.co.uk Also practical and down to earth, with a selection of articles from their magazine (I particularly liked the instructions for using the Pinard’s stethoscope). Like many small organisations they are clearly concerned that putting everything from the magazine on the website would stop people from subscribing.

British Medical Journal

www.bmj.com The BMJ decided some time ago to take the risk of putting all its contents online, and has gone from strength to strength. The online BMJ is entertaining, livelier than the paper magazine because of the rapid responses (email correspondence), and very independent – even of the BMA, who are described in very unflattering terms in recent editions.