External contributors – Page 242
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Comment
Andy Black on hospital acquired thickness
Why do some staff address patients in baby talk, or treat them as an irritant if they ask for a window to be opened? It’s because of a virulent condition that can sweep through wards like wildfire
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CommentJenny Rogers on predictable irrationality in the NHS
The notorious US bank robber Willie Sutton, when asked why he raided banks so prolifically, allegedly answered, “because that’s where the money is”.
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CommentMedia Watch: swine flu
The Department of Health was quick to offer reassurance at the start of this week after warnings of a pandemic of a new killer flu virus.
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CommentInvolving junior doctors in implementing the European working time directive
The involvement of junior doctors in implementing changes to working hours in the UK is not a new concept. Going back to the 1990s, the regional task forces on junior doctors’ working hours, charged with the responsibility of implementing the new deal, often included junior doctor medical advisers.
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CommentSteve Onyett on leading the NHS for alignment
An earlier column explored the first two of the Department of Health’s change principles for the NHS: co-production and “subsidiarity”. Both seek to get people working together to effect change by enabling them to fully exercise their power and authority.
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CommentKeith Pearson on the essence of leadership
The Reverend Theodore Hesburgh once commented: “The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision.” In my strategic health authority region, NHS East of England, our vision is clear: we want to provide the best quality health service in the country.
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CommentFrances Blunden on the burden of NHS bureaucracy
It is generally agreed that the burden of bureaucracy in the NHS is too great.
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CommentYour Humble Servant rides with the new Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
‘System alignment is everyone agreeing with the DH that these are four bloody good principles’
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CommentMichael White on the Budget
Not a good Easter break for the extended White family. Between us we suffered a car crash, an emergency caesarian and a burglary.
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Comment
Media Watch: Margaret Haywood and NHS whistleblowing
The sacking of whistleblowing nurse Margaret Haywood provided the perfect opportunity to give NHS managers a good kicking, no matter that the unpopular decision was actually taken by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
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CommentKieran Walshe on evidence based decision making in the NHS
NHS managers need to read and engage with the latest data and evidence on health service organisation - and researchers must present this in forms busy managers can use
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CommentThe credit crunch and public health
The UK economy officially entered recession in January with unemployment levels rapidly climbing to levels not seen since 1997. What no one can predict is where the bottom of this economic crisis resides and exactly what it will mean for public health, writes Andrew Jones
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CommentResponding to the European working time directive
The European working time directive provides an opportunity to reassess how junior doctors are trained in the NHS, writes John Coakley
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CommentImproving patient care through the Clinical Leaders Network
The NHS Clinical Leaders Network has the potential to improve patient care in the North East, says Dr Simon Eaton
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CommentRobina Shah on developing diversity in the NHS
The recent Healthcare Commission report on race equality once again found NHS trusts to be wanting.
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Comment
Emma Dent says farewell
Well readers, it has been about four years since my then editor asked me to write a column for this page. He talked me into writing it “for six months or so”. And I’m still here.
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CommentMichael Marmot on why health inequalities matter
The Department of Health’s anti-obesity Change4Life scheme may work wonders. I hope it does.
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CommentMichael White: 'You rarely read about the kindness'
Unlucky Alan Johnson popped up in the prime time 8.10 spot during the bank holiday Monday edition of the Today programme to protest Number 10’s inherent decency in the wake of Damian “email” McBride’s resignation.
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Comment
Media Watch: 'Forget the smears, this one was old fashioned political spin'
Easter: for many the chance to enjoy a relaxing four day break. For health secretary Alan Johnson and his shadow Andrew Lansley, seemingly the ideal time to don political boxing gloves and engage in a little sparring. A warm-up when fewer people than usual are paying attention, perhaps?
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CommentDavid and Hilary Woodhead on combining NHS efforts with local social care
A recent family lunch led to discussions about new jobs and the challenges of work, punctuated by the demands of restless kids and attentive waiters. Despite interruptions, the adults persevered.