Dr Christine Peters
@microlabdoc.bsky.social
Consultant Clinical Microbiologist
Current interests: Bacteriophage therapy, AMR, hospital water and ventilation, Airborne pathogens, IAQ, Fresh Air in the NHS= ventilation + Culture change
Lots of gardens and hills too
Current interests: Bacteriophage therapy, AMR, hospital water and ventilation, Airborne pathogens, IAQ, Fresh Air in the NHS= ventilation + Culture change
Lots of gardens and hills too
Reposted by Dr Christine Peters
My opinion on the decline of our national pandemic preparedness and risks to biosecurity in @issuesinst.bsky.social @nationalacademies.org
issues.org/unprepared-p...
issues.org/unprepared-p...
October 28, 2025 at 9:18 PM
My opinion on the decline of our national pandemic preparedness and risks to biosecurity in @issuesinst.bsky.social @nationalacademies.org
issues.org/unprepared-p...
issues.org/unprepared-p...
“The RCM has been raising the exact same concerns that the inspections have found with the Scottish Government, and with individual Health Boards, for years. Secretary and his predecessors to get ahead of the curve”
For years !
For years !
It’s not great that the workforce in the know have not been listened to previously as it seems from this statement.
Going forward now - one of the key lessons once again is LISTEN UP.
No point in “speaking up week” festivals if it’s a one sided effort.
Going forward now - one of the key lessons once again is LISTEN UP.
No point in “speaking up week” festivals if it’s a one sided effort.
Royal College of Midwives warns against further delay as Cabinet Secretary announces new maternity and neonatal taskforce - Royal College of Midwives
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has today warned against any further delay in addressing the challenges faced by maternity services in Scotland. The call comes as the Cabinet Secretary for Health ...
rcm.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM
“The RCM has been raising the exact same concerns that the inspections have found with the Scottish Government, and with individual Health Boards, for years. Secretary and his predecessors to get ahead of the curve”
For years !
For years !
It’s not great that the workforce in the know have not been listened to previously as it seems from this statement.
Going forward now - one of the key lessons once again is LISTEN UP.
No point in “speaking up week” festivals if it’s a one sided effort.
Going forward now - one of the key lessons once again is LISTEN UP.
No point in “speaking up week” festivals if it’s a one sided effort.
Royal College of Midwives warns against further delay as Cabinet Secretary announces new maternity and neonatal taskforce - Royal College of Midwives
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has today warned against any further delay in addressing the challenges faced by maternity services in Scotland. The call comes as the Cabinet Secretary for Health ...
rcm.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
It’s not great that the workforce in the know have not been listened to previously as it seems from this statement.
Going forward now - one of the key lessons once again is LISTEN UP.
No point in “speaking up week” festivals if it’s a one sided effort.
Going forward now - one of the key lessons once again is LISTEN UP.
No point in “speaking up week” festivals if it’s a one sided effort.
It’s not great that it’s press that actually give effective voice to those raising serious valid concerns. Still @johnswinney.bsky.social
Now. Current.
Publish what happened internally, and have the decency to directly listen to the midwives who raised concerns to see where escalation went wrong
Now. Current.
Publish what happened internally, and have the decency to directly listen to the midwives who raised concerns to see where escalation went wrong
To demonstrate a serious intent on culture and whistleblowing you could use this opportunity to delve deep into recent “speaking up” history.
Make public:
How many boards had internal whistleblows re maternity in last couple years ?
How many times were INWO or HIS contacted re same ?
Make public:
How many boards had internal whistleblows re maternity in last couple years ?
How many times were INWO or HIS contacted re same ?
If a fair section of the voting public are cynical by this stage of flowery promises -how will you evidence the real changes you promise both in terms of real on the ward staffing and coal face culture ? @johnswinney.bsky.social
we have heard A LOT about speaking up being encouraged and yet ….
we have heard A LOT about speaking up being encouraged and yet ….
October 29, 2025 at 5:56 PM
It’s not great that it’s press that actually give effective voice to those raising serious valid concerns. Still @johnswinney.bsky.social
Now. Current.
Publish what happened internally, and have the decency to directly listen to the midwives who raised concerns to see where escalation went wrong
Now. Current.
Publish what happened internally, and have the decency to directly listen to the midwives who raised concerns to see where escalation went wrong
To demonstrate a serious intent on culture and whistleblowing you could use this opportunity to delve deep into recent “speaking up” history.
Make public:
How many boards had internal whistleblows re maternity in last couple years ?
How many times were INWO or HIS contacted re same ?
Make public:
How many boards had internal whistleblows re maternity in last couple years ?
How many times were INWO or HIS contacted re same ?
If a fair section of the voting public are cynical by this stage of flowery promises -how will you evidence the real changes you promise both in terms of real on the ward staffing and coal face culture ? @johnswinney.bsky.social
we have heard A LOT about speaking up being encouraged and yet ….
we have heard A LOT about speaking up being encouraged and yet ….
Damning report finds 'culture of mistrust' at Edinburgh maternity unit - BBC News
A review said staffing shortages also contributed to delays and patients being harmed at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 5:53 PM
To demonstrate a serious intent on culture and whistleblowing you could use this opportunity to delve deep into recent “speaking up” history.
Make public:
How many boards had internal whistleblows re maternity in last couple years ?
How many times were INWO or HIS contacted re same ?
Make public:
How many boards had internal whistleblows re maternity in last couple years ?
How many times were INWO or HIS contacted re same ?
If a fair section of the voting public are cynical by this stage of flowery promises -how will you evidence the real changes you promise both in terms of real on the ward staffing and coal face culture ? @johnswinney.bsky.social
we have heard A LOT about speaking up being encouraged and yet ….
we have heard A LOT about speaking up being encouraged and yet ….
Damning report finds 'culture of mistrust' at Edinburgh maternity unit - BBC News
A review said staffing shortages also contributed to delays and patients being harmed at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 5:37 PM
If a fair section of the voting public are cynical by this stage of flowery promises -how will you evidence the real changes you promise both in terms of real on the ward staffing and coal face culture ? @johnswinney.bsky.social
we have heard A LOT about speaking up being encouraged and yet ….
we have heard A LOT about speaking up being encouraged and yet ….
What may never be clear re staffing is how many staff raised staffing as an issue prior to public exposure and political expediency of talking good talk.
Data on every single staff concern needs collected and scrutinised - by public and staff representatives to change the rut we are stuck in.
Data on every single staff concern needs collected and scrutinised - by public and staff representatives to change the rut we are stuck in.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Raising concerns should never be at risk of jobs as feared by midwives in this piece
The language of “we will work to make staff feel that they are safe to raise concerns” is loaded
The q is not do they feel it - but actually ARE they ?
no - not yet in Scotland
Raising concerns should never be at risk of jobs as feared by midwives in this piece
The language of “we will work to make staff feel that they are safe to raise concerns” is loaded
The q is not do they feel it - but actually ARE they ?
no - not yet in Scotland
Disclosure - How Safe Is My Baby?
Midwife whistleblowers reveal the reality inside Scotland’s busiest maternity hospital. We hear from the families across Scotland dealing with loss and fighting for answers.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 6:56 PM
What may never be clear re staffing is how many staff raised staffing as an issue prior to public exposure and political expediency of talking good talk.
Data on every single staff concern needs collected and scrutinised - by public and staff representatives to change the rut we are stuck in.
Data on every single staff concern needs collected and scrutinised - by public and staff representatives to change the rut we are stuck in.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Raising concerns should never be at risk of jobs as feared by midwives in this piece
The language of “we will work to make staff feel that they are safe to raise concerns” is loaded
The q is not do they feel it - but actually ARE they ?
no - not yet in Scotland
Raising concerns should never be at risk of jobs as feared by midwives in this piece
The language of “we will work to make staff feel that they are safe to raise concerns” is loaded
The q is not do they feel it - but actually ARE they ?
no - not yet in Scotland
Disclosure - How Safe Is My Baby?
Midwife whistleblowers reveal the reality inside Scotland’s busiest maternity hospital. We hear from the families across Scotland dealing with loss and fighting for answers.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 6:52 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Raising concerns should never be at risk of jobs as feared by midwives in this piece
The language of “we will work to make staff feel that they are safe to raise concerns” is loaded
The q is not do they feel it - but actually ARE they ?
no - not yet in Scotland
Raising concerns should never be at risk of jobs as feared by midwives in this piece
The language of “we will work to make staff feel that they are safe to raise concerns” is loaded
The q is not do they feel it - but actually ARE they ?
no - not yet in Scotland
Re all the maternity scandals- it really is a shameful failure of our country- pregnant women and babies for pity’s sake
If we can allow wave after wave of toxicity and incompetence at with cost paid by the most vulnerable, we are sunk very low indeed by any historical and contemporary measure.
If we can allow wave after wave of toxicity and incompetence at with cost paid by the most vulnerable, we are sunk very low indeed by any historical and contemporary measure.
October 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Re all the maternity scandals- it really is a shameful failure of our country- pregnant women and babies for pity’s sake
If we can allow wave after wave of toxicity and incompetence at with cost paid by the most vulnerable, we are sunk very low indeed by any historical and contemporary measure.
If we can allow wave after wave of toxicity and incompetence at with cost paid by the most vulnerable, we are sunk very low indeed by any historical and contemporary measure.
If only true reflection always generated such beauty
October 28, 2025 at 10:52 AM
If only true reflection always generated such beauty
"We find that serious adverse event reviews are not always undertaken quite as thoroughly as they might be and that the learning from these reviews is not always made,"
Not acceptable.
Not acceptable.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Beyond the headline of the pain that has been suffered, there is some thought provoking quotes here about listening to patients, limitations of SAER process and the utterly endemic malignant approach of putting reputation above all else.
Beyond the headline of the pain that has been suffered, there is some thought provoking quotes here about listening to patients, limitations of SAER process and the utterly endemic malignant approach of putting reputation above all else.
'My wife died in childbirth but wasn't told she'd been given labour drug overdose'
Jacqui Hunter died less than 24 hours after being told that her daughter had died in the womb.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 9:56 AM
"We find that serious adverse event reviews are not always undertaken quite as thoroughly as they might be and that the learning from these reviews is not always made,"
Not acceptable.
Not acceptable.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Beyond the headline of the pain that has been suffered, there is some thought provoking quotes here about listening to patients, limitations of SAER process and the utterly endemic malignant approach of putting reputation above all else.
Beyond the headline of the pain that has been suffered, there is some thought provoking quotes here about listening to patients, limitations of SAER process and the utterly endemic malignant approach of putting reputation above all else.
'My wife died in childbirth but wasn't told she'd been given labour drug overdose'
Jacqui Hunter died less than 24 hours after being told that her daughter had died in the womb.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 8:56 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Beyond the headline of the pain that has been suffered, there is some thought provoking quotes here about listening to patients, limitations of SAER process and the utterly endemic malignant approach of putting reputation above all else.
Beyond the headline of the pain that has been suffered, there is some thought provoking quotes here about listening to patients, limitations of SAER process and the utterly endemic malignant approach of putting reputation above all else.
Intrigued by this lung protector amongst the medical items on display in #InvararyJail - 1800s
Looks like a respirator mask idea
Never fails to surprise how the airborne infection concept regresses and even disappeared so comprehensively over the last few decades.
Looks like a respirator mask idea
Never fails to surprise how the airborne infection concept regresses and even disappeared so comprehensively over the last few decades.
October 26, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Intrigued by this lung protector amongst the medical items on display in #InvararyJail - 1800s
Looks like a respirator mask idea
Never fails to surprise how the airborne infection concept regresses and even disappeared so comprehensively over the last few decades.
Looks like a respirator mask idea
Never fails to surprise how the airborne infection concept regresses and even disappeared so comprehensively over the last few decades.
Still familiar - just an electric bulb in place of a mirror, and two eye pieces for binocular vision - but the counting chamber looks similar
On a daily basis we still rely on basic Gram stain microscopy to help choose antibiotics
#IveraryJail
On a daily basis we still rely on basic Gram stain microscopy to help choose antibiotics
#IveraryJail
October 26, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Still familiar - just an electric bulb in place of a mirror, and two eye pieces for binocular vision - but the counting chamber looks similar
On a daily basis we still rely on basic Gram stain microscopy to help choose antibiotics
#IveraryJail
On a daily basis we still rely on basic Gram stain microscopy to help choose antibiotics
#IveraryJail
If the public want better healthcare and appropriately placed confidence in the NHS - this kind of skanky garbage needs to stop.
It doesn’t take much neuronal effort to figure out where we need to place tough zero tolerance .
davidhencke.com/2025/10/21/r...
It doesn’t take much neuronal effort to figure out where we need to place tough zero tolerance .
davidhencke.com/2025/10/21/r...
Revealed: How a whistleblower doctor’s career was wrecked by a NHS trust manager aided by NHS Resolution
Two weeks ago I published a critical examination of how NHS Resolution’s Practitioner Performance Advice service contributed to the demise of whistleblower doctors revealing patient safety is…
davidhencke.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:21 AM
If the public want better healthcare and appropriately placed confidence in the NHS - this kind of skanky garbage needs to stop.
It doesn’t take much neuronal effort to figure out where we need to place tough zero tolerance .
davidhencke.com/2025/10/21/r...
It doesn’t take much neuronal effort to figure out where we need to place tough zero tolerance .
davidhencke.com/2025/10/21/r...
The wonderful attention to ventilation by prison improvement efforts of the Victorian era are inspiring.
Inverary “new” prison focussed on plenty fresh air through natural ventilation. Over 150 years ago.
Mind you watch out where the exhaust is placed - wouldn’t like to walk past this
Inverary “new” prison focussed on plenty fresh air through natural ventilation. Over 150 years ago.
Mind you watch out where the exhaust is placed - wouldn’t like to walk past this
October 26, 2025 at 9:52 AM
The wonderful attention to ventilation by prison improvement efforts of the Victorian era are inspiring.
Inverary “new” prison focussed on plenty fresh air through natural ventilation. Over 150 years ago.
Mind you watch out where the exhaust is placed - wouldn’t like to walk past this
Inverary “new” prison focussed on plenty fresh air through natural ventilation. Over 150 years ago.
Mind you watch out where the exhaust is placed - wouldn’t like to walk past this
Reposted by Dr Christine Peters
Latest covid data: after nearly a year of low covid levels, we're in another wave.
Good time to re-post my basic science explanations of how airborne diseases like covid spread, and how to lower risks if we can't isolate:
Public lecture from 2023: vimeo.com/892302443
+my pinned threads.
Good time to re-post my basic science explanations of how airborne diseases like covid spread, and how to lower risks if we can't isolate:
Public lecture from 2023: vimeo.com/892302443
+my pinned threads.
October 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Latest covid data: after nearly a year of low covid levels, we're in another wave.
Good time to re-post my basic science explanations of how airborne diseases like covid spread, and how to lower risks if we can't isolate:
Public lecture from 2023: vimeo.com/892302443
+my pinned threads.
Good time to re-post my basic science explanations of how airborne diseases like covid spread, and how to lower risks if we can't isolate:
Public lecture from 2023: vimeo.com/892302443
+my pinned threads.
Upshot of some conversations @briandevlin
Speaking up is not successful if there is no change
A detailed sparkling showmancy of policy and correct verbiage is the more usual outcome.
This is without exception a dangerous bludgeon to those going through the real traumas of a toxic culture.
Speaking up is not successful if there is no change
A detailed sparkling showmancy of policy and correct verbiage is the more usual outcome.
This is without exception a dangerous bludgeon to those going through the real traumas of a toxic culture.
October 13, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Upshot of some conversations @briandevlin
Speaking up is not successful if there is no change
A detailed sparkling showmancy of policy and correct verbiage is the more usual outcome.
This is without exception a dangerous bludgeon to those going through the real traumas of a toxic culture.
Speaking up is not successful if there is no change
A detailed sparkling showmancy of policy and correct verbiage is the more usual outcome.
This is without exception a dangerous bludgeon to those going through the real traumas of a toxic culture.
Bully tactics from the top create the climate for endemic toxicity.
Thats not leadership. Thats power drunk.
Thats not leadership. Thats power drunk.
The words politicians use matter, and they have an affect.
NHS staff are real people with real feelings and we desperately need them.
Sad that - especially after Covid - this still needs pointing out.
Shame on those that bully instead of taking the time to understand the situation properly.
NHS staff are real people with real feelings and we desperately need them.
Sad that - especially after Covid - this still needs pointing out.
Shame on those that bully instead of taking the time to understand the situation properly.
In 30years I have never been this upset with the words coming out of Government
This includes a plethora of Tory Health Secretaries
I am not part of BMA leadership
I am just a GP who gives up his time freely to advocate for patients, the NHS & make sure the facts are correct
This includes a plethora of Tory Health Secretaries
I am not part of BMA leadership
I am just a GP who gives up his time freely to advocate for patients, the NHS & make sure the facts are correct
October 11, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Bully tactics from the top create the climate for endemic toxicity.
Thats not leadership. Thats power drunk.
Thats not leadership. Thats power drunk.
Dread full.
They have not lost the plot. Their plot is twisted but it’s being enacted steadfastly with a logic and precision of purpose that makes it entirely inexcusable.
They have not lost the plot. Their plot is twisted but it’s being enacted steadfastly with a logic and precision of purpose that makes it entirely inexcusable.
FULL STORY HERE: Emails began flooding CDC inboxes late Friday night announcing dozens of layoffs. HR people brought back from furlough to oversee the RIFs. Disease detectives, entire Washington office, global health, injury prevention, MMWR staff among those hit.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
Trump Administration Lays Off Dozens of C.D.C. Officials
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Dread full.
They have not lost the plot. Their plot is twisted but it’s being enacted steadfastly with a logic and precision of purpose that makes it entirely inexcusable.
They have not lost the plot. Their plot is twisted but it’s being enacted steadfastly with a logic and precision of purpose that makes it entirely inexcusable.
A one sided risk appreciation is cowardice.
I am really glad that @jeremymberg.bsky.social wrote this. Everybody who cares about science, and about knowledge generation and civil society generally, should read and share with their favorite administrator.
Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment
open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment
open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment
Leaders are underestimating the risks of not fighting back
open.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:45 AM
A one sided risk appreciation is cowardice.
Reposted by Dr Christine Peters
There's probably some of that but the big driver seems to be a combination of ego, ignorance, and the authoritarian culture of replacing rigorous science with pseudoscientific "Evidence Based Medicine" heuristics. Arrogant plus hopelessly out of date is...bad.
COVID is the Dunning-Kruger pandemic.
COVID is the Dunning-Kruger pandemic.
Vol 3., Ch 8. To reiterate, this is basic knowledge from 2006. Every IPC and public health professional on the planet had free access.
Note IPC's made-up "3-foot rule", and the need for respirators (even with acceptance of the general ignorance of IPC professionals around airborne transmission).
Note IPC's made-up "3-foot rule", and the need for respirators (even with acceptance of the general ignorance of IPC professionals around airborne transmission).
October 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
There's probably some of that but the big driver seems to be a combination of ego, ignorance, and the authoritarian culture of replacing rigorous science with pseudoscientific "Evidence Based Medicine" heuristics. Arrogant plus hopelessly out of date is...bad.
COVID is the Dunning-Kruger pandemic.
COVID is the Dunning-Kruger pandemic.
When the word authentic is eroded by inauthentic over use, we are in a bad place.
Look to actions not words.
Be wise to the camouflage of policy speak and tickety box cultures
Look to actions not words.
Be wise to the camouflage of policy speak and tickety box cultures
October 2, 2025 at 6:16 PM
When the word authentic is eroded by inauthentic over use, we are in a bad place.
Look to actions not words.
Be wise to the camouflage of policy speak and tickety box cultures
Look to actions not words.
Be wise to the camouflage of policy speak and tickety box cultures
Also leave the hypocrisy behind.
It has an odour that permeates despite the floral bonanza of policy speak.
It has an odour that permeates despite the floral bonanza of policy speak.
Top tip for encouraging speaking up - have the people fronting up your messaging be people who have not fronted up bullying and extremely bad speaking up practice in the past.
Staff ain’t dim.
Staff ain’t dim.
October 2, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Also leave the hypocrisy behind.
It has an odour that permeates despite the floral bonanza of policy speak.
It has an odour that permeates despite the floral bonanza of policy speak.