Mike Birtwistle
Mike Birtwistle is founding partner of Incisive Health, a specialist health policy and communications consultancy.
CommentThe new NHS plan should disrupt the status quo
Getting what we pay for, means finding a way to deliver with less than enough, states Mike Birtwistle
CommentThe Five Year Forward View is no longer fit for purpose
The Five Year Forward View no longer holds water, making it necessary to draft a new vision statement for the NHS to make it “an investable proposition” in the eyes of the Treasury, says Mike Birtwistle
CommentLessons from Manchester: can Labour ever turn the NHS into a winning issue?
A new poll ahead of the Greater Manchester mayoral elections offers some wider hope and pointers to Labour, writes Mike Birtwistle
CommentHospital turnarounds offer a glimmer of light amid NHS gloom
In the face of major challenges, success stories offer valuable insight into achievable goals, and deliver important benefits to patients and staff alike
CommentHunt stays put - but faces a whole new set of challenges
Mike Birtwistle assesses how Jeremy Hunt might handle the very different demands of the new ministerial team
CommentBrexit bound: prepare for gridlock
The Incisive Health team discusses what the political and operational consequences are likely to be for the NHS
CommentThe government can't talk its way out of the junior doctors standoff
It has attracted public and political sympathy
CommentCuts in cancer spending expose a funding challenge
There will be tough choices over cash and cancer
CommentThe cancer strategy has laid down a challenge to government
To what extent will the government act on the taskforce’s recommendations?
CommentHealth gambles could swing the election
NHS spending promises could turn the tables on the two main parties
CommentThe 10 year plan won't win Labour the keys to Number 10
Labour’s health strategy lacks flesh on the bones to tempt the electorate
CommentElection 2015: Party politics offer little new year cheer
Reality bites for political parties in 2015
CommentNo party should feel comfortable with their NHS position yet
None of the parties have had a decisive breakthrough
CommentEarly cancer diagnoses will cost the NHS considerably less
Saving millions through earlier cancer diagnosis
CommentElection 2015: Last chance for Ed to show his NHS credentials
Why Miliband must lead the charge on the NHS
CommentCancer drug announcements must be backed up with action
There’s an element of pre-election tidying
CommentElection 2015: Politicians need to get in step with the public's NHS love affair
The political debate rages on
CommentIf I was a politician I'd watch Simon Stevens like a hawk
The new chief is different from his predecessor