Brit J Hosp Med
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In 1977 powers to charge those not 'ordinarily resident' in the UK for NHS care were first introduced, and rules governing eligibility for free NHS care have become increasingly complex since. In this issue (p. 156), Dubrey et al present an interpretation of the current regulations and express concern that the treatment of ineligible patients presents a threat to the UK health system. Here we suggest the opposite: increasing attempts to restrict the access of vulnerable humans to health care present a threat both to individual and public health. We challenge all clinicians to provide immediately necessary care and to protect public health.
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Regional anaesthesia encompasses central neuraxial and peripheral nerve blockade. These techniques all consist of introducing local anaesthetic to regions around nerves for the purposes of surgical anaesthesia and/or analgesia.
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Lodox Statscan provides high-speed, high-quality, low radiation, full body imaging in a single scan, combined with three-dimensional reconstructive and zooming functionality. Several trauma centres have incorporated it into their advanced trauma life support protocol. This review gives a brief overview of the system.
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Hospital doctors frequently invoke the idea of medical futility in making decisions regarding end-of-life care. This concept of futility will be reviewed and the differing definitions and how it relates to other important principles in biomedical ethics discussed.