Shouldn't have waited.

Anyway I delayed going to Tesco’s and I regret it now.

“First I just want to say how well supported the NHS has been by the government”.

That was how  ‘Sir’ David Nicholson started his interview with BBC4’s Today programme, and that was all it was, really.

With an aging population, more chronic diseases, better survival, greater expectations, no more money – there will be a shortfall of £30 Billion in 10 years’ time.

So the plan;

1) Better organisation of services

That means cuts. His example was the reduction in provision of Stroke services in London, which had the worst outcomes in the country. The reduction from 31 hospitals to 8 was held up as a great improvement.

Actually, the problem was that the 31 weren’t providing any specialist stroke care at all, other than caring for someone – no scans, no drugs – no specialists.

The eight are great because now people are treated properly. You could do that in the 31 if you wanted to and if you had the money.

Outcomes might well be even better with quick local specialised stroke treatment.

2) Prevention in the community.

3) Efficiency and productivity.

And that was it.

A week and a half of leaking, following his big speech and all it comes down to is cuts, closures and queues.

Thanks for nothing.

Neil Harris

(a don’t stop till you drop production)

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