Thomas Downes
@tomdownes.bsky.social
160 followers 160 following 26 posts
GP in Midlothian and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Dundee. Interested in multimorbidity, applicability and polypharmacy.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by Thomas Downes
bmj.com
"Undermining confidence in one of the few safe and effective pain and fever relief drugs in pregnancy risks causing unintended harm."

Pregnant women are often excluded from clinical trials and evidence gaps enable unsubstantiated claims, @louiseckenny.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Reposted by Thomas Downes
drgeraintpreest.bsky.social
As we head into autumn, in many instances, patient expectations following a community acquired pneumonia can have a profound effect on repeat appointments (“I feel better but I’m still coughing, Doc”). Here’s a timely reminder from NICENG250
Reposted by Thomas Downes
mgtmccartney.bsky.social
VERY EXCITING
launch of the CENTRE FOR EVIDENCE AND VALUES IN HEALTHCARE at the Uni of St Andrews
first event 31st October with Sir David Haslam and Scotland's new patient safety commissioner Karen Titchener
find out more here medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk/centreforevi...
please sign up and come
Reposted by Thomas Downes
janeshanahan.bsky.social
Delighted & proud that our carehome meds opt team at East Lancs Hospitals have allowed Evelyn,a 101yo lady to achieve what matters to her. Hoping other carehome providers start to implement now. Empowering care staff.
www.carehomeprofessional.com/medication-n...
#FindyourEvelyn #SafeDeprescribing
Public/ private medication trial achieves 'remarkable' results
A partnership between an NHS Trust and a private social care provider which aimed to reduce medications for residents is set to be rolled out nationwide
www.carehomeprofessional.com
Reposted by Thomas Downes
deprescribing.bsky.social
Ever wonder what percentage of hospital admissions are caused by medications? 💊

A systematic review published in the Age and Ageing Journal finds adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and adverse drug events (ADEs) are significant causes of hospitalization in older adults.

buff.ly/4Vuv4T2
Reposted by Thomas Downes
deprescribing.bsky.social
As we age, changes in our bodies can affect drug exposure, leading to potentially increased risks of both medication toxicity and treatment failure. 💊

Great review article highlights major age-related physiological changes that can impact drug use:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
tomdownes.bsky.social
Open letter from the heads of Scotland’s medical schools on the threat to the clinical academic workforce.

“If we do not act, we risk weakening the very system that has delivered some of the most transformative advances in modern medicine”

www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/clinicalacad...
Scotland’s Quiet Crisis: Why Clinical Research Needs Urgent Rescue — Universities Scotland
www.universities-scotland.ac.uk
Reposted by Thomas Downes
helensalisbury.bsky.social
BMA and other national medical organisations come together as a voice for doctors in Europe to call for immediate action in Gaza
europeandoctors.bsky.social
The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) expresses deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the desperate levels of starvation experienced by the population.

Press release: www.cpme.eu/api/document...
Reposted by Thomas Downes
bjgpopen.bsky.social
A study highlighting sex differences in antihypertensive prescription patterns and efficacy in primary care reveals that women achieve better blood pressure control with lower doses and distinct drug types. This calls for sex-specific optimisation in hypertensive management
➡️doi.org/10.3399/BJGP...
Illustrative
tomdownes.bsky.social
Great day at the North Uist Highland Games today. Just about crossed the line in the Men’s 100m Flat Race for 2nd place!
Falling over finishing line in race.
Reposted by Thomas Downes
euanreid.pharmsky.app
Polypharmacy Guidance:
Appropriate Prescribing
Making medicines safe,
effective and sustainable
2025-2028
Scottish Government: Effective Prescribing & Therapeutics Division
Consultation on Draft Guidance
#Pharmsky #Medsky

www.gov.scot/publications...
Reposted by Thomas Downes
frankmoriarty.bsky.social
Just ten days left to apply for this Research Fellow position, focused on pharmacoepidemiology and deprescribing.

More information about the DIAMOND programme available at: diamond-deprescribing.eu

Full job description here (deadline July 7th): my.corehr.com/pls/rcsirecr...
Reposted by Thomas Downes
jmultimorbidity.bsky.social
Hello 👋. We are the official BlueSky account of the Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity - part of Sage Journals @journals.sagepub.com
Reposted by Thomas Downes
Reposted by Thomas Downes
bengoldacre.bsky.social
Please can we fund the NHS and care by taxing the housing wealth of the over 60s? At time of death, if you like. This is huge, unearned money, and going to drive damaging inequality at inheritance. Taxing workers and businesses is much worse for the economy.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Britain on track to become a ‘National Health State’, says thinktank
Resolution Foundation says half of all public spending will be allocated to the NHS and social care by the end of the decade
www.theguardian.com
tomdownes.bsky.social
Buzzing that our GP practice team won the prize for best overall costumes and decorared pram at the annual Penicuik pram race 2025 🐝

m.youtube.com/watch?v=AKFC...
Penicuik Pram Race 2025
YouTube video by Top Scotch
m.youtube.com
Reposted by Thomas Downes
bjgp.bsky.social
Starting an antidepressant is associated with a 2-4-fold increased risk of postural hypotension in the first month in people aged ≥60 years doi.org/10.3399/BJGP... #PrimaryCare #Antidepressant #Hypotension #GeneralPractice #Research
Reposted by Thomas Downes
helensalisbury.bsky.social
"Our analysis also shows the vampiric nature of extreme wealth, which is completely incompatible with the health and wellbeing of the nation,” said Priya Sahni-Nicholas, co-executive director of the Equality Trust
Well said my cousin Priya
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ma...
UK’s 50 richest families hold more wealth than 50% of population, analysis finds
Equality Trust says billionaires getting ‘ludicrously’ richer, with top two now wealthier than whole of 1990 rich list
www.theguardian.com