External contributors – Page 264
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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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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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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.
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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 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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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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CommentAndy McKeon: 'Prepare to step back to the 80s'
The Budget will be the prelude to another prolonged cycle of recession and recovery for the NHS, but one positive is that lean years mean productivity takes an upturn
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CommentKen Jarrold on getting the best from staff
If the NHS is to improve public health and provide high quality services to patients, it must look after its staff, including chief executives and senior managers.
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CommentClinical mistakes: how to respond
A new approach to handling NHS complaints has been introduced. Joan Saddler, director of patient and public affairs at the Department of Health, explains what it means for clinicians and managers
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CommentAndrea Sutcliffe: advice on delivering effective NHS care
As the Healthcare Commission cleared the decks in preparation for the launch of the Care Quality Commission on 1 April, some of its final reports made chastening reading for all of us involved in the delivery of healthcare that should be safe, effective and a good experience for patients.
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CommentDavid Peat on PCT provider arms
The proposed division of primary care trusts’ provider and commissioner arms reminds me of the old legal concept of “one roof with separate rooms”.
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CommentAngela Greatley on community mental health treatment
Supervised community treatment was one of the most controversial aspects of the 2007 Mental Health Act. The new powers were introduced in November 2008, since which time some 1,200 requests for second opinions to ratify such orders have already been made.
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CommentStephen Eames on patients driving change
Delivering radical reform in public services was the government’s battle cry in last month’s white paper Working Together - Public Services on Your Side. Given the parlous state of the country’s finances, the message will be exactly the same from any future government.
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CommentHumble Servant bids the Healthcare Commission adieu
‘We will all miss the traffic lights and star ratings, its mission to condemn and flagellate, and the valuable role it has fulfilled for the Department of Health in shutting stable doors after horses have bolted’
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CommentMichael White on the recent political populism
Watch out for political populism in troubled times. Most of us have been indulging in banker-bashing, but such enjoyably bad habits can be contagious and beneficial chiefly to extremists on the prowl. I spotted two crowd-pleasers that affect HSJ readers only this weekend.