All articles by Julian Patterson
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CommentHurrah! The politcians are back in control
The NHS has issued a statement expressing support for Wes Streeting as the new health and social care secretary promises to take back control, get the NHS done and lead us to the sunlit uplands. Julian Patterson has the details
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CommentPrepare to clear your desks
Before he takes up an important political assignment, Julian Patterson offers a shamelessly unbalanced view of the outcome of the general election and what it will mean for HSJ readers
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CommentThe Groundhog Expo
It’s time to “activate your awareness funnel” as this year’s Blithering Expo is here. Once again the event provides an opportunity to share learnings, hear about great examples of innovation and network with peers. Most importantly, it’s a chance to get out of the office for a couple of days. ...
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CommentCrack teams to get spin backlog under control
As election fever intensifies, the Labour leadership has set out a clear and detailed plan to save the NHS, writes Julian Patterson
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CommentA tribute to chair’s towering modesty
Blithering ICB chief executive Joy Hunter shares extracts from her diary – a privileged glimpse into the busy life of one of the NHS’s top leaders, as told to Julian Patterson
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CommentTaking time to stop thinking about problems
Why is Sir Trevor Longstay keen to hold an all-day planning meeting? Why is he going out of his way to flatter the regional director? And will the ICB ever finish its stakeholder map? Julian Patterson has the answers
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CommentMaking liars of us all
As the pledges of the new hospitals programme inevitably unravel, Julian Patterson wonders who will have the last laugh
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CommentBlithering shafted
New CFO Simon Shaft delivers a financial bombshell - the NHS Blithering deficit appears to have been wiped out. Has Sir Trevor Longstay made a terrible mistake? Julian Patterson reports
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Comment‘You Turn’ service to continue, vow NHS chiefs
Martin Plackard, chief strategy officer at NHS Blithering, has made an important correction after a plan to extend health services for practitioners was initially misunderstood. Julian Patterson has the details
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CommentRating the CQC
In a week of turbulent regulatory news, no one can be bothered to rate the CQC and system inspections prove elusive. Julian Patterson pretends to care.
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CommentA plan for all seasons
In a letter to staff at NHS Blithering ICB, Sir Trevor Longstay gives a warm welcome to NHS England’s timely planning guidance, which promises to make planning more comprehensive and productive than ever. As dictated to Julian Patterson
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CommentVictoria Atkins: comedy genius
In a rare mea culpa, Julian Patterson acknowledges that he was wrong to make fun of the health and social care secretary. She is more than capable of managing without him
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CommentVictoria Atkins’ diary: My big speech
The secretary of state for health and the other thing gives a major speech and narrowly avoids a man in a car park. Julian Patterson reports
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CommentAre you a competent NHS leader? Take this test to find out
Who better to judge the ability of leaders than leaders themselves? Julian Patterson test drives the Blithering leadership and competency framework
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CommentIntegration: the answer to everything
Martin Plackard, NHS Blithering’s director of communications and head of system fruition, has published a comprehensive guide to integrated care. ‘It tells you all you need to know – and more,’ he told Julian Patterson
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CommentA positive lack of clarity
Technical problems prevented livestreaming of the latest meeting of the Blithering Integrated Care Board. Fortunately, Julian Patterson was there to capture highlights of the proceedings
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CommentSaving the NHS: the Blithering Health Commission
The Blithering patient participation group, members of the integrated care board, experts by celebrity and the health and leisure editor of the Blithering Times & Argus have come together for a once-in-a-lunchtime conversation about the future of the NHS. Julian Patterson reports on the findings of the first Blithering Health ...
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CommentWe must ‘hire before we fire’ declares ICB
Integrated care boards have been told to cut costs, but these things don’t do themselves. Taking a leaf out of the NHS England playbook, NHS Blithering explains that it is committed to taking on the additional resource needed to drive its rationalisation. By Julian Patterson