Word reaches End Game of a happy example of NHS leaders recognising that the wider public is a valuable source of information.

An NHS England case officer had received a somewhat baffling request for information from a member of the public about whether retired GPs are able to work in private nursing homes. Despite their best efforts, they had not succeeded in locating a definitive answer.

Displaying an encouraging amount of lateral thinking, and recognising the great untapped resource of knowledge and information that is the general public, the individual decided to “crowdsource” the answer.

Specifically, by emailing the customer services team of a leading health publication, who forwarded it on to the editor, who didn’t know the answer, but wished the case worker well.

End Game welcomes a more open dialogue between NHS England and its partners in the private sector.

Whatever the mystery, we’ll always try to help.