This December’s BJGP has a strong focus on groups within the population at particular risk of physical and mental health problems: vulnerable people. The plight of vulnerable children is graphically described in Camila Batmanghelidjh’s moving leader, which is a challenge to us all to provide better services and more receptive facilities for children in need. Her description of her charity Kids Company — which supports around 36 000 children, young people and vulnerable adults — is an inspiring account of what can be achieved with commitment and drive. Bridget Osborne reminds us of the shocking statistics on suicide and depression among farming communities, who may well be facing another challenging winter this year. Other vulnerable groups discussed in the Journal include homeless men and people with intellectual disabilities, both of which are the subjects of stimulating Debate & Analysis articles this month. Paramjit Gill and Adrian Hegenbarth’s editorial on the ways in which socially-excluded patients can be socially included in general practice is a further challenge, not just to clinicians and health and social care professionals, but to commissioners and health service managers, who need to think hard about ensuring equity and comprehensiveness in the provision of services and the arrangements for these problematic groups to access care.
展开▼
