A patient who recently had cause to visit a West Country hospital recently regaled a tale to health chiefs about how, when told they needed to visit another trust an hour down the road, they were initially pleased to learn a taxi would be called so their records could be transferred securely.

End Game applauds the efforts to share data in the interests of patient care. We also understand that, whatever they’re spending per year on taxis, the arrangement must seem saner than buying some of the electronic patient record systems more commonly used in the NHS.

The gentleman agreed that the trust’s vigilant transfer arrangements seemed jolly sensible.

He was, however, less chipper after it emerged the invitation for an expenses-paid taxi extended only to the records and, and that as a patient he would have to catch the bus.

Perhaps the trust did not get the memos about putting patients first?