Shortage of doctors leaves health care in crisis
The NHS is facing a chronic shortage of family doctors after official figures showed some GPs were responsible for 9,000 patients. More than a million people were registered with a GP who served more than 3,000 patients, almost twice the average list size of 1,600. Dr Michael Dixon, chairman of the NHS Alliance, said it was a question of whether doctors were ‘able to cater as well for each patient with a list once they get much over 2,000 or 3,000’. He said shortages were already being seen in inner cities, but recruiting GPs had become a problem even in affluent rural areas such as his practice in Devon. England has 25,000 family doctors, but there are growing concerns that the NHS faces a retirement crisis. One in eight GPs is planning to retire within two years. The shortages have been exacerbated by the retirement of a generation of Asian GPs who came to Britain during the 1960s and 1970s.
Pray: that there would be an increase in those called to serve the people as medical doctors.
Kirk minister urges more action on homelessness
Homelessness kills, yet it seems like the world is still walking on by while it happens, says a senior Church of Scotland minister. On average a homeless person dies 30 years before their neighbours and while that statistic is shocking, it is no surprise, writes Rev Ian Galloway, Convener of the Kirk’s Church and Society Council, in his regular blog. Mr Galloway declares: ‘It’s not just the lack of a roof – it’s the lack of purpose, identity, place and belonging that grinds down the souls of those who have nowhere to lay their heads each evening. Homelessness kills and it seems like the world is still walking on
by.’ Mr Galloway writes: ‘It is not just beds, food and a roof we need to find that will cost a lot but when human lives are at stake, it seems a small price to pay.’
Pray: that the homeless will find purpose and identity in Christ. (1.Cor.4:11)
Russia: Evangelism at Christmas
For weeks, evangelical churches across the lands of Russia have been praying for their annual Christmas outreaches, culminating in Russian Christmas on January 7. Slavic Gospel Association sponsored Immanuel’s Child outreaches will be a key part of these evangelistic efforts. We eagerly await their wonderful reports - which sometimes do not arrive until later in the spring due to the remoteness of some locations. As several SGA sponsored missionary pastors relate, the fruit of the previous year’s outreaches often lead to further ministry opportunities. In Lyubashevka, Ukraine. the Lord opened doors for us among the local Roma people. After we conducted Christmas services last year, a Roma woman named Kalava allowed us to conduct a group Bible study in her house. We have these studies every Saturday. About ten adults and the same number of children are attending, and we are planning to start a children’s ministry in this village. Every time, some new people come to our study. They open their hearts, telling us of their worries and problems.
Pray: that the churches' outreach will lead many to find Jesus as Saviour. (2Sa.22:47)
Russia: Evangelism at Christmas
For weeks, evangelical churches across the lands of Russia have been praying for their annual Christmas outreaches, culminating in Russian Christmas on January 7. Slavic Gospel Association sponsored Immanuel’s Child outreaches will be a key part of these evangelistic efforts. We eagerly await their wonderful reports - which sometimes do not arrive until later in the spring due to the remoteness of some locations. As several SGA sponsored missionary pastors relate, the fruit of the previous year’s outreaches often lead to further ministry opportunities. In Lyubashevka, Ukraine. the Lord opened doors for us among the local Roma people. After we conducted Christmas services last year, a Roma woman named Kalava allowed us to conduct a group Bible study in her house. We have these studies every Saturday. About ten adults and the same number of children are attending, and we are planning to start a children’s ministry in this village. Every time, some new people come to our study. They open their hearts, telling us of their worries and problems.
Pray: that the churches' outreach will lead many to find Jesus as Saviour. (2Sa.22:47)
