External contributors – Page 285

  • Comment

    Calls for clarity on GP contracts

    2008-01-04T14:30:25Z

    I read with some interest your article about the government's proposals to consult on extending GP opening hours, particularly as there are no minimum opening hours - or more crucially - consultation hours in general medical services or most personal medical services contracts, writes Jonathan Weaver

  • Comment

    This week's looky likey

    2008-01-03T13:35:48Z

    More on David Cameron (see Weird Health, this week), this time, in the form of a looky likey suggested by reader Lisa Langton, who suggests that Mr Cameron and NHS North West chief executive Mike Farrar look rather alike. Ms Langton says: "This has got to be a better match ...

  • Comment

    Weird world health

    2008-01-03T13:32:44Z

    Does the NHS Confederation know something we don’t? A certain amount of measured-ness is the usual flavour of responses to political statements, but after Conservative Party leader David Cameron's speech early this year, the Confed responded in terms that could only be described as glowing. "David Cameron’s ...

  • Comment

    Malcolm Lowe-Lauri on an NHS Christmas

    2007-12-20T09:00:00Z

    Over the holidays, NHS managers will need to stay on the ball to keep their organisations running smoothly

  • Comment

    Your Humble Servant goes Christmas shopping

    2007-12-20T09:00:00Z

    I hadn't noticed personal shopper in my list of duties on my job description, but am happy to report that I have been able to get all the presents from you for the people on your list.

  • Comment

    Michael White on super-sizing the NHS

    2007-12-20T09:00:00Z

    Huge comprehensive schools which became dysfunctional over time? Huge new 'Titan' prisons which will almost certainly be hard to manage? Ditto hospitals?

  • Comment

    Media Watch: super-surgeries

    2007-12-20T09:00:00Z

    Is it a GP practice, is it a shop? No it's a super-surgery - the answer to patients' prayers (possibly) but not necessarily good news for doctors.

  • Comment

    Operating framework's localist spin unravels

    2007-12-20T09:00:00Z

    Will NHS chief executive David Nicholson be eating words as well as turkey this Christmas?

  • Comment

    The curious incident of the missing £870m

    2007-12-20T09:00:00Z

    The fine print of the coming year's funding settlement indicates that, in contrast to NHS chief executive David Nicholson's protestations, the Department of Health will indeed have a significant sum - up to £870m - locked away in its Richmond House safe next year (for more background, click here).

  • Comment

    Christopher Balchin on being glad of the NHS

    2007-12-19T09:00:00Z

    The author, who lives in the US, explains why he is so glad the UK has a national health service

  • Comment

    Awards must recognise diversity of the health service

    2007-12-17T16:21:25Z

    Unison was very pleased to co-sponsor an award again this year and I enjoyed the high-class event at Grosvenor House on 19 November 2007, writes Mike Jackson

  • Comment

    Lisa Rodrigues on the NHS's influential people

    2007-12-17T09:00:00Z

    In response to HSJ's list of the 50 most influential people in the NHS, I thought I would offer my own list of the people who have influenced my career in the NHS. It includes people I think make a difference, go that extra mile or who have influenced me ...

  • Comment

    Michael White on healthcare rationing

    2007-12-13T09:00:00Z

    In the week health ministers launched new initiatives on both cancer and stroke, backbench MP Dr Richard Taylor coincidentally staged a Commons adjournment debate on rationing in the NHS.

  • Comment

    Private sector sceptics take on foundation freedom-fighters

    2007-12-13T09:00:00Z

    The deal the government carved out with Labour backbenchers to get the foundation trust legislation through Parliament has precipitated a battle between the trusts and Unison over the limits of their freedoms (for more background, click here).

  • Comment

    Sir Liam's patient safety spotlight shines on PCTs

    2007-12-13T09:00:00Z

    Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson is pushing primary care trusts to put his crusade on patient safety at the centre of their work (for more details, click here).

  • Comment

    Noel Plumridge on registering with a GP

    2007-12-13T09:00:00Z

    Last time I invited responses to two questions: how to choose a GP and why bother now that direct access services are so good?

  • Comment

    Emma Dent on the Manchester doughnut

    2007-12-13T09:00:00Z

    Aha, a response to my last column about the state of Manchester. Architect, researcher and consultant Wayne Ruga, who has been working with Salford primary care trust on developing a 'human-centred culture', writes to congratulate me on writing the 'unspeakable'.

  • Comment

    All Our Yesterdays

    2007-12-12T10:22:17Z

    December 18, 1936, Public Assistance Journal and Health & Hospital ReviewOn the abdication:'The swift current of unprecedented national events has swept to a climax and receded again since last we went to press. From the time when the first disconcerting signs of crisis were made plain to the public, the ...

  • Comment

    Weird world health

    2007-12-12T10:19:06Z

    'Tis the season of overeating, not that we at End Game would countenance anything but everything in moderation. But we regret to inform you that HSJ has been causing chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson concerns over the health of the nation. Sir Liam recently asked colleagues if the rumours ...

  • Comment

    Jogging Santas

    2007-12-12T10:17:44Z

    For no reason other than it's Christmas, here are some pictures of jogging Santas, raising money for the jolly good cause of the British Heart Foundation. Lets hope it got them fit enough to be in good shape for delivering all your presents.