Becky Taylor
@drbeckyt.bsky.social
Emergency Medicine Consultant, Cumbria
Bikes and Active Travel 🚲
Sustainable living & nature 🦋🌿 🐧🐳
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🇬🇸
Bikes and Active Travel 🚲
Sustainable living & nature 🦋🌿 🐧🐳
🇬🇧 🇪🇺 🇬🇸
I think Eliot's description of the dysfunction of democratic institutions can apply to the NHS too. Even worse when those within an organisation see the performance as the aim, rather than seeking the outcome of meaningful patient safety actions, in whatever guise that may take.
In “performance,” institutions still go through the motions; reports are written, hearings are held, and processes exist. Think of endless inquiries that result in a civil servant resigning 5 years after the fact but no real structural change, or political accountability.
January 25, 2026 at 10:51 AM
I think Eliot's description of the dysfunction of democratic institutions can apply to the NHS too. Even worse when those within an organisation see the performance as the aim, rather than seeking the outcome of meaningful patient safety actions, in whatever guise that may take.
Reposted by Becky Taylor
The events of the last 24 hours show why it's important to build functional verification structures in public and counterpublic spaces to resist the authoritarian erosion of our democratic systems, as described in this thread.
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
Democratic politicians have, though, pursued growth in GDP at the expense of other values. One response to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com pessimistic scenario is refocus on those values, combined with egalitarianism, sufficiency and quality of life. Not "it's the economy, stupid" but "it's the the society"
January 25, 2026 at 9:24 AM
The events of the last 24 hours show why it's important to build functional verification structures in public and counterpublic spaces to resist the authoritarian erosion of our democratic systems, as described in this thread.
I agree that front loading senior decision making has benefits throughout the system. In our Trust at least, that requires significant expansion of those senior staff numbers. Consultant's can't be at the front decision making when their bandwidth is taken up fire fighting patient safety/crowding
Great comment by @helensalisbury.bsky.social in this week's BMJ and one that far too many NHS managers, leaders and politicians miss entirely: doi.org/10.1136/bmj....
...
...
Helen Salisbury: Whole system thinking
The widely predicted collapse of the NHS due to resident doctors’ industrial action just before Christmas didn’t materialise.1 There was little change to the new normal, with too many sick people spen...
doi.org
January 21, 2026 at 1:14 PM
I agree that front loading senior decision making has benefits throughout the system. In our Trust at least, that requires significant expansion of those senior staff numbers. Consultant's can't be at the front decision making when their bandwidth is taken up fire fighting patient safety/crowding
The US truly is a foreign world
Recognition of ordinary dying is a core emergency medicine skill that allows patients and their family dignity and to prioritise what is important for them
No family *wants* their relative to die, but it is our job to counsel and support them, not offer false hope
Recognition of ordinary dying is a core emergency medicine skill that allows patients and their family dignity and to prioritise what is important for them
No family *wants* their relative to die, but it is our job to counsel and support them, not offer false hope
January 19, 2026 at 12:41 PM
The US truly is a foreign world
Recognition of ordinary dying is a core emergency medicine skill that allows patients and their family dignity and to prioritise what is important for them
No family *wants* their relative to die, but it is our job to counsel and support them, not offer false hope
Recognition of ordinary dying is a core emergency medicine skill that allows patients and their family dignity and to prioritise what is important for them
No family *wants* their relative to die, but it is our job to counsel and support them, not offer false hope
Reposted by Becky Taylor
In a new blog on corridor care, Claire Cox argues that to have a significant impact, guidance needs to move beyond what 'should' happen.
▶️ www.pslhub.org/learn/improv... #patientsafety
▶️ www.pslhub.org/learn/improv... #patientsafety
December 18, 2025 at 8:49 AM
In a new blog on corridor care, Claire Cox argues that to have a significant impact, guidance needs to move beyond what 'should' happen.
▶️ www.pslhub.org/learn/improv... #patientsafety
▶️ www.pslhub.org/learn/improv... #patientsafety
Reposted by Becky Taylor
It was good to see @samfr.bsky.social say today that "the main reason for lengthy A&E waiting times is the lack of hospital beds for people who need admitting, which gums up the whole system as they have to keep being treated by emergency staff."
samf.substack.com/p/optimism-o...
#rstats #ggplot2
samf.substack.com/p/optimism-o...
#rstats #ggplot2
July 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
It was good to see @samfr.bsky.social say today that "the main reason for lengthy A&E waiting times is the lack of hospital beds for people who need admitting, which gums up the whole system as they have to keep being treated by emergency staff."
samf.substack.com/p/optimism-o...
#rstats #ggplot2
samf.substack.com/p/optimism-o...
#rstats #ggplot2
Musing today that decision aids in EM can lead the unwary (more junior colleagues especially) into quite rigid and narrow assessments/thought processes, when people are a lot more varied and complex and nuanced. And then how as seniors can we mitigate this and educate in the busy modern ED 🤔
July 4, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Musing today that decision aids in EM can lead the unwary (more junior colleagues especially) into quite rigid and narrow assessments/thought processes, when people are a lot more varied and complex and nuanced. And then how as seniors can we mitigate this and educate in the busy modern ED 🤔
Reposted by Becky Taylor
Until and unless we have a political class willing and able to state these basic truths about social care, reform its provision so it doesn’t carry on destroying local govt, and actually raise the taxes needed to fund it properly, we are, not to put to fine a point on it, f***ed on this issue.
May 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Until and unless we have a political class willing and able to state these basic truths about social care, reform its provision so it doesn’t carry on destroying local govt, and actually raise the taxes needed to fund it properly, we are, not to put to fine a point on it, f***ed on this issue.
Make it make sense...🤦
*Screams* in Emergency Medicine
*Screams* in Emergency Medicine
May 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Make it make sense...🤦
*Screams* in Emergency Medicine
*Screams* in Emergency Medicine
I'm particularly enjoying the tulips and daffodils this year. They seem especially abundant and vivid.
I can't decide if that is because the weather conditions have been just right for a particularly good crop this year, or I'm noticing them more as I missed the season last year
I can't decide if that is because the weather conditions have been just right for a particularly good crop this year, or I'm noticing them more as I missed the season last year
April 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I'm particularly enjoying the tulips and daffodils this year. They seem especially abundant and vivid.
I can't decide if that is because the weather conditions have been just right for a particularly good crop this year, or I'm noticing them more as I missed the season last year
I can't decide if that is because the weather conditions have been just right for a particularly good crop this year, or I'm noticing them more as I missed the season last year
Reposted by Becky Taylor
One of my favourite quotes from Pope Francis, who said he would be a “Pope of the poor”.
He spoke out against injustice, emphasizing the need for compassion, calling for peace & strongly supporting the Palestinian people under attack. Rest in peace.
He spoke out against injustice, emphasizing the need for compassion, calling for peace & strongly supporting the Palestinian people under attack. Rest in peace.
April 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
One of my favourite quotes from Pope Francis, who said he would be a “Pope of the poor”.
He spoke out against injustice, emphasizing the need for compassion, calling for peace & strongly supporting the Palestinian people under attack. Rest in peace.
He spoke out against injustice, emphasizing the need for compassion, calling for peace & strongly supporting the Palestinian people under attack. Rest in peace.
I can't recall who proposed, as way of analogy, the use of formal consent quantifying the risks of hospital admission in older people.
But I really wish I had figures at the tip of my tongue to help challenge the notion that admission is "safer" when relatives are refusing to allow discharge
But I really wish I had figures at the tip of my tongue to help challenge the notion that admission is "safer" when relatives are refusing to allow discharge
April 21, 2025 at 9:24 AM
I can't recall who proposed, as way of analogy, the use of formal consent quantifying the risks of hospital admission in older people.
But I really wish I had figures at the tip of my tongue to help challenge the notion that admission is "safer" when relatives are refusing to allow discharge
But I really wish I had figures at the tip of my tongue to help challenge the notion that admission is "safer" when relatives are refusing to allow discharge
I enjoyed this episode. You don't know the talent you are missing unless you allow it in. And sometimes (often) that needs people to actively invite those not previously considered. Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Good things.
It’s important to push back boundaries & in many ways this week’s #BlueOrigin flight did that. But if you want to know about the first American women in space & the story of NASA’s remarkable 1978 astronaut class, have a listen to this episode of #16Sunsets podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/1...
New Frontiers
Podcast Episode · 16 Sunsets · S1 E4 · 56m
podcasts.apple.com
April 19, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I enjoyed this episode. You don't know the talent you are missing unless you allow it in. And sometimes (often) that needs people to actively invite those not previously considered. Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Good things.
Whilst I'm very glad journalists continue to expose more details of this particular war crime, I remain flabbergasted that Israel is able to continue to flagrantly ignore international law daily without consequence
Two hours of terror: Sky News investigation reveals how Israel's deadly attack on aid workers unfolded
New evidence unearthed by Sky News contradicts Israel's official account of the killing of 15 aid workers.
news.sky.com
April 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Whilst I'm very glad journalists continue to expose more details of this particular war crime, I remain flabbergasted that Israel is able to continue to flagrantly ignore international law daily without consequence
Reposted by Becky Taylor
On the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we thought we'd answer a question that's often asked,
"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"
Allow our scaled diagram to explain...
"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"
Allow our scaled diagram to explain...
April 15, 2025 at 8:21 AM
On the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we thought we'd answer a question that's often asked,
"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"
Allow our scaled diagram to explain...
"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"
Allow our scaled diagram to explain...
Reposted by Becky Taylor
"they hate our beef because our beef is beautiful and theirs is weak"
our beef:
our beef:
April 3, 2025 at 2:43 PM
"they hate our beef because our beef is beautiful and theirs is weak"
our beef:
our beef:
I love learning new things! I did not know this.
Another complication to add to the list of why *measles is a bad thing*
Another complication to add to the list of why *measles is a bad thing*
March 14, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I love learning new things! I did not know this.
Another complication to add to the list of why *measles is a bad thing*
Another complication to add to the list of why *measles is a bad thing*
Reposted by Becky Taylor
🧵 I want to follow up this earlier thread by examining why the USA finds itself in the state it does at the moment; the process of disordered discourse capturing state institutions and how it inevitably results in a slide towards authoritarianism, a process we're seeing unfold before our very eyes.
What we’re witnessing in America is what happens when disordered discourse captures a political party, then the state itself. The Republican Party was the first to fall - abandoning truth for conspiracy, ideology for grievance, and policy for performative outrage.
March 12, 2025 at 7:28 PM
🧵 I want to follow up this earlier thread by examining why the USA finds itself in the state it does at the moment; the process of disordered discourse capturing state institutions and how it inevitably results in a slide towards authoritarianism, a process we're seeing unfold before our very eyes.
Reposted by Becky Taylor
We can upload 3 minute videos now.
YOU KNOW THE RULE
YOU KNOW THE RULE
March 10, 2025 at 7:52 PM
We can upload 3 minute videos now.
YOU KNOW THE RULE
YOU KNOW THE RULE
Reposted by Becky Taylor
HE'S LITERALLY READING A SALES PITCH
March 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
HE'S LITERALLY READING A SALES PITCH
Reposted by Becky Taylor
Happy International Women’s Day.
I’m fortunate to have brilliant women in my life as friends and colleagues along with male allies prepared to stand up and be counted.
Keep on keeping on.
#IWD2025 #wingwomen
I’m fortunate to have brilliant women in my life as friends and colleagues along with male allies prepared to stand up and be counted.
Keep on keeping on.
#IWD2025 #wingwomen
March 8, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Happy International Women’s Day.
I’m fortunate to have brilliant women in my life as friends and colleagues along with male allies prepared to stand up and be counted.
Keep on keeping on.
#IWD2025 #wingwomen
I’m fortunate to have brilliant women in my life as friends and colleagues along with male allies prepared to stand up and be counted.
Keep on keeping on.
#IWD2025 #wingwomen
Reposted by Becky Taylor
Important point. I am extremely pro-defibrillators and CPR. When you have a primary CARDIAC problem causing cardiac arrest, with a rhythm that can be shocked, quick defib gives an excellent outcome, even in older or more clinically frail patients 1/2
Do you mean that if you were elderly and in a care home you would not want to have people try to save you or at any age? My brother survived cardiac arrest but was about 40 when it happened. He has tried advocating for defibrillators in public spaces and more awareness.
March 4, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Important point. I am extremely pro-defibrillators and CPR. When you have a primary CARDIAC problem causing cardiac arrest, with a rhythm that can be shocked, quick defib gives an excellent outcome, even in older or more clinically frail patients 1/2
Reposted by Becky Taylor
Once upon a time, some villagers came across a large, ornate wooden box in the local woods. On the side of the box was a message:
“Whatever money you put in this box will, in future, grow to become 2.5 times larger.”
1/
“Whatever money you put in this box will, in future, grow to become 2.5 times larger.”
1/
February 23, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Once upon a time, some villagers came across a large, ornate wooden box in the local woods. On the side of the box was a message:
“Whatever money you put in this box will, in future, grow to become 2.5 times larger.”
1/
“Whatever money you put in this box will, in future, grow to become 2.5 times larger.”
1/
Watched many movies where the "bad people" are signposted as bad by wearing black/growling/uniforms like SS etc. What role does media play in peoples inability to recognise real badness when in reality it comes dressed in pompoms/fireworks/multicoloured glory presented by "nice" smiling people 🤔
This by Michael Rosen is terrifying and apt for the times we live in now.
February 18, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Watched many movies where the "bad people" are signposted as bad by wearing black/growling/uniforms like SS etc. What role does media play in peoples inability to recognise real badness when in reality it comes dressed in pompoms/fireworks/multicoloured glory presented by "nice" smiling people 🤔
Can't access the paper, but I can say that, yep, it's more complex than just getting the assay/guidelines. Sampling logistics & patient flow are key. There are implications for 4hr standard in where indeterminate risk patients are held awaiting 3rd sample. SDEC not 24/7, but don't need admission 🤔
Here’s a review we’ve just published, providing what’s hopefully a handy guide to implementing a hs-cTn driven chest pain pathway.
It was an honour to work with such a great team!
It was an honour to work with such a great team!
An excellent review of the practical considerations of implementing hs-cTn - don't underestimate the time and multidisciplinary collaboration required! academic.oup.com/jalm/article... @richardbody.bsky.social @yadersandoval.bsky.social @cianpmccarthy.bsky.social
February 13, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Can't access the paper, but I can say that, yep, it's more complex than just getting the assay/guidelines. Sampling logistics & patient flow are key. There are implications for 4hr standard in where indeterminate risk patients are held awaiting 3rd sample. SDEC not 24/7, but don't need admission 🤔