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I have just read the book online and it is well worth reading even if I disagreed with significant parts of it

However it is more than a little surprising that there is no mention whatsoever in the article of workforce, management and leadership issues.

The bookitself does briefly refer to these but surely these are central challenges if staff and their managers are not to sink under further poorly-led, top down reorganisations in which staff (rightly) feel they are pawns ?

The Kings Fund has publiushed some good review of the research and literature highlighting how a bullying culture that pays token acknowledgement to staff engagement is counter productive for patients.

Well treated staff with safe workloads, good support and training provide better care. I'm disappointed that the article does not reflect some of the good work the Kings Fuind has published elsewhere.

The Kings Fund's own web site rightly states in prefacing this book that "another important ingredient is to harness the creativity and skills of staff working in health and social care."

Trust Chief Executives and Boards reading your article would not know this view underpinned the book. Nor would they have necessarily read other Kings Fund publications stressing the importance of openness and transparency and its benefits for patient care.

Maybe they will have to wait for Francis Report in November to forcefully remind them of this.

Without staff engagement and comprehensive openness and transparency there is no realistic chance of the book's vision being effectively and safely delivered