My first Diagnosis Salon and I was not disappointed! Sam Lister, Health Editor of The Times, Alastair McLellan, Editor of HSJ, and Dr Ellie, Resident GP for The Mail on Sunday and Woman magazine spoke about their experience of health journalism followed by Q&A and networking.
Sam Lister was of the opinion that having less space in the paper was actually a bonus as it had raised the standards of the articles that made it in. I was also very reassured when I heard the responsible view he takes of the latest miracle cure or scandal. Rather than sensationalising these to sell more copy he consults the scientists involved to get an accurate account. I think he is right in saying that the MMR controversy could have been greatly minimised if more people in the media had this attitude.
Dr Ellie was not deterred by comments made by Sam Lister about the Daily Mail and spoke very well on how she balances her journalistic commitments with work as an inner city GP. Honesty and openness appear to be her watch words. She is also careful with what she will write about and like Sam avoids being sensationalist, even if her editor would like her to be. It was amusing to hear that the topic that caused the most controversy for her was when she disparaged a popular ‘very low calorie diet’. A thick skin is needed if you are to survive the kind of comments she received in reply. She also supplied me with my new favourite phrase. A ‘toast dropper’ is a story that is to be avoided as it might put you off your breakfast. Urinary incontinence and mental health both fall into this category!
All 3 of the speakers are very active on twitter; even so I was surprised to hear just how much it influences the articles and editorials Alistar McLellan writes. He follows many doctors on twitter and he has changed his editorial at the last minute because of an interesting suggestion/tweet. It just goes to show that social media has really opened up lines of communication. As a someone who is quite new to twitter I have taken the stance of the spectator so far, I am rethinking this after realising its potential. Alistair also addressed some of the audiences’ concerns about GP commissioning, pointing out that around 10-20% of GPs will be well supported to commission around a third of the NHS budget. The consensus was though that it’s unlikely the public will appreciate this. What will the effect be of the public holding their family GP responsible for being denied that latest cancer treatment? Interesting times ahead.
Over a glass of wine I braved the unknown and spoke to quite a few new people. Great to see several medical students, I also met other medics, consultants from KPMG, a press officer from NHS London and an ex-GP from BDO who is advising on commissioning in my own mental health trust!
Already looking forward to the Christmas event.
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