Comment archive – Page 422
-
Comment
Updating top-up rules need not be a dagger to the heart of NHS
Just days before its 60th birthday the NHS is being forced to re-evaluate its founding principle - that treatment is based on clinical need not the ability to pay.
-
Comment
Sally Reynolds on unemployment and health
In Britain nearly one in five people of working age are disabled and almost half of them are currently unemployed.
-
Comment
Local change challenge
The Leading Local Change document, published in May as part of Lord Darzi's next stage review, sits on the desk in front of me as I write. Its message is clear - healthcare needs are changing and our sector must respond.
-
Comment
A local perspective on Darzi
As the final report on Lord Darzi's next stage review draws close, Cynthia Bower examines how Skills for Health is already helping to drive change at a local level
-
Comment
Lisa Rodrigues on being there for your staff
Bill Clinton used to say the most important attribute of a leader was being there. This gets tested when things go wrong, but also when they are going well.
-
Comment
Ken Jarrold on why Darzi needs nurses
Last November, commenting on the first Darzi report, I pointed out that only a crusade for nursing and a focus on team leaders would improve patient experience.
-
Comment
David Lee on handling a killing
One piece of news mental health trust directors dread above almost any other is that of a homicide by a local service user.
-
Comment
This week's All Our Yesterdays
Public Assistance Journal and Health and Hospital Review, June 25 1948"The Minister would like to take this opportunity of expressing his appreciation of the work of joint vagrancy committees in recent years in the promotion of schemes for the reduction of vagrancy throughout the country," states the Ministry of Health ...
-
Comment
This week's lookey likey
A lookey likey from a correspondent who wishes to be anonymous suggests Department of Health director general of NHS finance, performance and operations David Flory is a dead ringer for CSI Miami star David Caruso. What do readers think?
-
Comment
Robina Shah on the patient experience
NHS trusts are aware of patients' views through satisfaction surveys and the complaints process. These have shown patient dissatisfaction in three core areas: communication and information, the manner and attitude of staff and the hospital environment.
-
Comment
Simon Jones on NHS governance
Not too long ago, the Welsh Assembly completed a governance review of all the trusts and local health boards in Wales. Initial reactions were, as ever, 'oh no, not another review'.
-
Comment
David Baker on men's health
According to independent body the Men's Health Forum, too many men suffer unnecessary poor health and die too young from preventable causes.
-
Comment
Angela Greatley on what Darzi can do for mental health
Introducing the latest proposals for the next stage review last month, Lord Darzi said: 'The nature of healthcare means services will always need to change, and sometimes that means reorganising how services are provided.'
-
Leader
Sacking managers may attract headlines but won't fix problems
After 11 years of public service reform, the government's record is still dogged by poor performance. The failure regime unveiled last week shows ministers are running out of patience.
-
Leader
Ambitious plan will require innovation
The evaluation by the Audit Commission and the Healthcare Commission of the progress of NHS reforms is a wake-up call for foundation trust managers.
-
Comment
Simon Stevens on on China's plans for healthcare
In Beijing a few weeks ago, discussing alternative health reform models with Chinese government officials, I was struck by the fact that at about the time the NHS Plan was being formulated in 2000, China was embarking on a similar 10-year health plan.
-
Comment
Media Watch: polyclinic plans
It seems even apparently mild-mannered Alan Johnson can snap. After months of doctors sniping at polyclinics, he did - via The Observer.
-
Comment
Michael White on dealing with the Treasury
Right, enough of this gloom. All together now, we are going to say 'let's stay cheerful for the rest of this column, whatever happens'.
-
Comment
Maggi Rose on clinical supervision
While NHS organisations often get caught up in documenting the benefits and justifying the expense of clinical supervision, the most important thing to keep sight of are the benefits to the people directly involved the process
-
Comment
Good Hope Hospital one year on
Last week the Department of Health announced a tough new performance regime that could see failing managers replaced with teams from the private sector or foundation trusts. Will anyone want to take on the risk of running a bankrupt business? Heart of England foundation trust chief executive Mark Goldman argues ...