Blog
BBC Newsround film at Infection 2009
A school party who visited Infection 2009 today found themselves thrust in the media spotlight when BBC Newsround heart throb Ricky dropped in to interview them about bugs and sneezes. The pupils from the Arthur Terry School used a "snotgun" and a mask of Homer's face...
Government has no idea how many people are dying from hospital infections
I find it quite shocking that the government has no idea how many people are dying from hospital infections. The publication today of a report on hospital infections highlights how the NHS’s £12 billion IT system cannot even make a vital linkage between various...
Can Conservatives win back Cambridge?
A generation ago, Conservatives ruled the roost in Cambridge, both in Westminster and on the city council. But support gradually declined until it lost its domination. Local Tories are now hoping that success is within reach again following the surprise decision by...
Time to review interns’ pay in Westminster
Now Sir Christopher Kelly has made his far reaching recommendations on MPs’ expenses, I hope he will turn his attention to the pay of interns who help grease the machinery of Westminster village. This is also a flawed system which continues to operate with...
Climate change and swine flu
It’s more like September than November today. There is no thick morning mist across the flat Fenland landscape, and no need to wrap up in scarves and gloves. People are still going out in tee-shirts, and even shorts. Normally around Bonfire Night, you can see your...
European Commission plans to end cash refunds on shoddy goods
It seems we could lose our right to a cash refund on shoddy goods as there are plans afoot to harmonise EU legislation as refunds are not offered in other European countries. My MEP Robert Sturdy has objected to European Commission plans which would abolish...
Store bans staff from wearing poppy
I was appalled to read about the store in Wigan which has banned its staff from wearing a poppy, and even threatened disciplinary action if its wishes were ignored. This kind of insensitivity is impossible to understand, particularly following reports that five of our...
Epidemic Intelligence, Twitter and the 2012 Olympics
I’m really looking forward to attending the Infection 2009 conference in Birmingham next week as its press officer, a major scientific conference which is debating superbugs like swine flu, as well as epidemics and pandemics. One of the studies which will be...
How can these families seek justice?
For the first time ever, readers of my blog have phoned me at home about a post I wrote. They were very upset and seek justice. It concerns my report about disturbing failings of the Court of Protection following a story in the Mail on Sunday. This told how many...