Dr. Phil Hariram's Health Blog

A Group led by Professor Irving Kirsch, at the Department of Psychology at the University of Hull, looked at 47 clinical trials using data from Freedom of Information rules by the US Food and Drug Administration. They looked at the most commonly used anti-depressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), venlafaxine (Efexor) and [...]

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Britain. It is estimated that more than 30,000 people annually are diagnosed with it and 16,000 dies from it every year. This cancer is treatable if caught early. Many sufferers leave it too long before seeking medical help. This delay can result in spread from the [...]

Polyclinics will be the most radical change in the NHS for over 60 years. In London a network of 150 polyclinics are planned. These clinics will be equipped with x-rays, ultrasound etc and will carry out as much as 50% of the outpatients clinics done at the Hospital. The concept was introduced by the new [...]

In a matter of a few days Arsenal seem to lose the high ground. There is no doubt that they are the most entertaining Football Team in the premiership. But of late the wheels seem to be falling off.
Firstly in the Carling Cup Semi, they were severely beaten by their near rival, Spurs. Last [...]

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When I became a General Practitioner in 1977, there were limited options for treating anxiety and depression.
In addition, the nearest Psychiatric Hospital, Severalls, was in Colchester, a distance away. There were huge gaps in the treatment of this group of patients.
Once anxiety or depression was diagnosed, the next step was a prescription of [...]

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Tagamet was introduced when I was a trainee GP or as it is called today, a GP registrar. Before Tagamet and the other anti-ulcer drugs, ulcer patients suffered severely. When antacids were ineffective and a barium meal showed an ulcer, surgery was the next option.
There were procedures such as Vagotomy and [...]

When I finished my Vocational Training and ready and fully trained to enter General Practice, I had two choices. One of my brothers had moved to Alberta, Canada and I fell in love with Alberta especially the three National Parks Banff, Waterston and Jasper. Practising Medicine in Canada became very attractive.
I was offered a full [...]

I started as a full time General Practitioner in Chelmsford in 1977. I knew my senior partner was retiring in just over three years. The main surgery was really two rooms attached to his house. When he retired, I needed to find new premises. The branch surgery was not exactly ideal. In fact, I had [...]

When I arrived in Britain, I was told that I needed A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics to get into Medical School. No one told me that, as a foreign students, there were only a few places available and in some Med Schools there were none. In fact I needed three A levels at [...]

As a boy growing up in Guyana, it was clear that a visit to the local doctor was a major event. Doctors rightly commanded great respect. We were washed, scrubbed cleaned, brushed up and dressed in our Sunday best. The nearest doctor was over ten miles away and the main road was full of deep [...]