External contributors – Page 208
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CommentMedia Watch: waiting for the pause to fast forward
Every paper told a different story at the start of this week, despite speculation growing ahead of the arrival of the Future Forum’s recommended amendments to the Health Bill.
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CommentNoel Plumridge: parallel process in danger of doubling costs
First, in April, came the “pause” in the passage of the Health Bill. Then the “listening exercise” and the appointment of the NHS Future Forum. And, along the way, the Liberal Democrats’ humiliation in the May elections.
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CommentMichael White: how to survive in the blame game
I heard a senior NHS manager on the radio mid-week sounding like Sharon (“I don’t do blame”) Shoesmith, Haringey’s ousted children’s services chief, as he defended his hospital against a damning report from the Care Quality Commission.
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Comment@HSJeditor’s guide to the Health Policy Twitterati
Twitter is full of people mouthing off pointlessly about health reform or simply linking to their latest blog. But there are also a good number of tweeters with something interesting to say and who take an active part in debate. Here’s my pick. I’d be grateful for other suggestions.
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CommentAn NHS ice age may have only just begun
Despite positive financial projections for the NHS after the current spending review period ends, the harsh reality is that the funding cold spell could continue beyond 2015 if the economy does not recover as hoped, suggests King’s Fund chief economist John Appleby.
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Comment'Proper funding of the NHS is the critical long term issue'
Let’s be honest, speculation is fun. Nobody can prove you right or wrong at the time, people forget what you said, and you can hedge your bets on what the future will hold. It is also more interesting to look at the gloomy version – what fun is there to ...
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Comment'Creating a culture of learning must never be overlooked'
It is all too easy with the daily demands on our time, coupled with the financial challenges we all face, to allow our own learning and development to take a back seat.
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Comment'Better quality data will help to reduce variations in care'
The latest report of the National Lung Cancer Audit has the potential to significantly reduce variations in care, writes Mick Peake
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CommentMedia Watch: Health Bill pause doesn't halt continuing coverage
As the coalition’s “pause” rumbles on so do the stories surrounding the fate of the Health and Social Care Bill.
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CommentSouth Central trusts face paybill cuts to meet CIP targets
If trusts are to meet their cost improvement plan targets for 2011-12, they have to make significant savings through cutting the paybill.
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CommentScreening programmes under threat in London
Chlamydia screening is not a big outlay for commissioners but they are measured on it, along with other screening programmes.
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CommentSally Gainsbury: flogging off the freehold
While Aunt Sally and her straw man continue to bicker about just how much extra competition Mr Lansley is or isn’t introducing into the NHS, a genuine real life policy question demands answering.
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CommentMichael White: bill opposition proving more than just yellow-bellied
Perhaps I underestimated Liberal Democrat determination to amend the bill (only one bill in this column) or push it under a bus.
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Comment'I'm more excited than ever about the healthcare marketplace'
Competition on everything including price is not only the most practical solution to the growing pressures facing the NHS, it is also virtually inevitable, according to the chief executive of the UK’s largest private healthcare provider.
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Comment'Complex consortia issues will require a new style of leadership'
Followership: what sort of a word is that? Whatever it is, it has been troubling me for some time.
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CommentWired in: digital service delivery can put healthcare into the home
The success of new technologies in major sectors such as retail and travel has put control and convenience in the hands of the consumer. Why then, asks Sophia Christie, is the health sector not thinking “digital by default”?
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CommentNoel Plumridge: Monitor is showing a truer picture
“Breathtaking insensitivity” is the alleged failing of David Bennett, Monitor’s new chair, for daring to suggest the 4 per cent target efficiency gain required of the NHS this year, under the Department of Health operating framework, may be just a little understated.
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CommentAmong the structural turmoil, maintaining performance is a matter of life and death
While all eyes are currently on the political rollercoaster that is the Health Bill, less seductive but more vital is maintaining the performance of a service that has life and death consequences for individuals every day.
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CommentYour humble servant: can you hear me, Andrew Lansley?
From being everywhere to suddenly being nowhere, your humble servant goes in search of the health secretary.
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CommentSouth West aiming to take harder line on 'urgent' care
No more Mr Nice Guy for patients turning up without bona fide conditions. That is the message coming from Weston Area Health Trust, following the recent opening of their nice shiny new accident and emergency department.