No-one thought of outsourcing when the NHS was founded 70 years ago Matrons like the wonderful example above ruled hospitals with a benevolent rod of iron; the care provided received a well-deserved reputation around the world and no-one had ever heard of...
450,000 missed mammograms Jeremy Hunt stands up in Parliament to explain - gives an abject apology for once I almost feel sorry for him Why? Because he is supposedly in charge of a Ministry that keeps on making mistakes that could cost lives. Breast cancer...
When will the arrogant NHS learn from its mistakes? Yet another harrowing medical story hit the front pages. This time it was the tale of Alfie Evans, following on from Charlie Gard and Ashya King. Pictures of little Alfie were splashed across the papers, and we...
Genomes Project launches in October But judging by a recent conference held in London, this could be a very dis-organised programme.. The 100,000 Genomes Project at the NHS Genomic Medicine Centre (GMC) has recruited its first patient to the programme. The 100,000...
Bring back curiosity Today, ask any NHS staff member a question and often up pop the shutters, or some other delaying tactic. As I was told at The Marsden, "you are ONLY a patient". Doctors reach for prescription pads, as there is no time allocated for...
NHS England have just spent £100,000 on re-designing the NHS logo - can I suggest a more suitable one? NHS England Bigs wigs sitting on the platform at Britain Against Cancer conference, rather missed this point. The 400 Delegates at the All-Party Parliamentary Group...
Latest book on the NHS Reading Margaret McCartney's thoughtful book, The State of Medicine, had my eyes out on sticks. Written by an NHS Doctor, it is an honest appraisal of a health service ' unraveling, under-funded and under pressure'. A glaringly honest...
The NHS is funded by us - that's every UK taxpayer It is NOT free - my calculations on the back of an envelope work out that the average tax payer contributes between £3,000 - £4,500 per person per year to fund this; this also helps to pay for those who aren't...
Yes Minister is alive and well Whitehall loves confusing the voters. Those who remember 'Yes, Minister' TV programmes will recall Sir Humphrey dancing around poor Jim Hacker, the Minister, spreading confusion all around. Having worked for Whitehall, I can assure you...
Who cares where the money goes? Or/ Don't live in a wealthy area Lord Prior of Brampton (above) is current Chair of NHS England. I wrote to him, commenting on a brave Nurse's challenge over staffing levels - at a back-slapping NHS Executive meeting. Previously I had...