Doctors Welcome High Level Of Confidence And Trust



Family doctors in Northern Ireland today welcomed the results of the patient experience survey.

 Dr Brian Dunn, Chairman of the British Medical Association’s GP committee in Northern Ireland said:

“GPs are to be congratulated on the results of this survey. 

One of the core values of general practice is the ability to provide a confidential consultative role and to act as advocates on behalf of our patients.

 This can only be achieved where there is confidence and trust, and we are delighted that 97% of patients said they had confidence and trust in their GP. What other profession can equal that?” Dr Dunn added: 

“That the majority of patients are satisfied with their care, are able to book ahead for appointments and see their doctor quickly is proof that general practitioners and their teams are working hard to meet patient need. 
While it is great to hear these positive results, I would question the amount of money that is spent on the survey. The results for the last three years have been remarkably similar, so perhaps it is now time to consider investing money earmarked for the survey into patient care instead”.

£23k Station Thief Jailed Thanks To Eagle-Eyed Passenger

A prolific thief, who stole more than £23,000 worth of property from passengers at Paddington rail station, has been jailed for two years thanks to an eagle-eyed passenger and an investigation by British Transport Police (BTP) Bilal Bendrihame, 21, of no fixed abode but known to Balham area of south London, has appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to eleven theft offences. The court heard details of all eleven offences, which began in February 2010. BTP’s Detective Constable David Graney, Investigating Officer, said that Bendrihame would target passengers at Paddington while they were preoccupied purchasing tickets or queuing for taxis: “Bendrihame accumulated several high-value items along the way including laptops, passports, mobile phones and cameras, as well cash and credit cards. After viewing CCTV for each offence, we were able to place him at the scene of each theft.” On 15 April 2011, Bendrihame stole a suitcase and laptop bag and while he was running away, a member of the public thought there was something amiss. The following day the same member of the public spotted Bendrihame hanging around the station and reported it to the police. He was caught and arrested.

Nottingham Three Charged With Drug Smuggling

Three men from Nottingham have been charged with drug smuggling after our officers discovered cocaine worth £24,000 at East Midlands Airport on Sunday. Officers recovered approximately 600g of the class A drug in the operation. Mitchell McVitty, Stewart McVitty and Jamie Coxon had arrived on a flight from Alicante. All three men were arrested on suspicion of importing a class A drug and appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court where they were remanded into custody. The case is due to be heard at Nottingham Crown Court on 25 July. Mitchell and Stewart McVitty are from Radford Road in Nottingham while Jamie Coxon is from Oxclose Lane in Nottingham. Peter Avery, Assistant Director, Criminal and Financial Investigation, UK Border Agency said: “Our highly skilled officers work tirelessly using the very latest technology to detect and prevent drugs from being smuggled into the UK. We are determined to combat drug trafficking which has such a destructive impact on the lives of so many.”

(BMcN/GK)