Clinical academics welcome independent inquiry GPs' leader writes to MPs on partnership campaign Health authorities told to reverse cuts in NHS GMC given more powers to restrict a doctor's practice Intensive care beds may go on a database Guarantee given for trusts' debts Students re-examine advice on electives

Abstract

# Clinical academics welcome independent inquiry {#article-title-2} Clinical academic staff have welcomed the decision of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals (CVCP) to set up an independent inquiry into the disincentives to a clinical academic career. The BMA's Medical Academic Staff Committee has offered to give evidence to the committee of inquiry, which will be chaired by Sir Rex Richards, former vice chancellor of Oxford University. The CVCP envisages the committee investigating the problems of recruitment and retention of clinical academic staff, taking account of the changes in the NHS and in workload, in the training programmes for future specialists, in university and NHS funding systems, and the effects of European Union directives. According to the CVCP's medical committee there were over 50 vacant established clinical chairs in universities and medical schools in 1995; 20 had been vacant for more than 12 months. Universities are also worried about the loss of posts at clinical lecturer level. Sir Rex Richards has agreed to speak at the BMA's conference of medical academic representatives on 3 June. # GPs' leader writes to MPs on partnership campaign {#article-title-3} The chairman of the General Medical Services Committee has written to members of parliament to emphasise the importance of the patient education campaign, which was launched last week (2 March, p 531), and to seek their support. Dr Ian Bogle points out that some people see a need to consult their general practitioner for every problem and that inappropriate use of doctors' time can prevent them treating patients when …