Comment archive – Page 389
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CommentMichael White on swine flu and leadership
This column’s established policy is not to panic over either swine flu or Labour leadership flu. Outbreaks of both occur from time to time and are easily spread by modern life, notably by air travel and 24-hour TV news channels. The authorities do their best.
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CommentCally Bann on the swine flu outbreak
An acute trust chief executive, “Cally Bann”, casts a jaundiced eye over the swine flu outbreak…
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LeaderNHS quality improvement needs patient choice data
One year after the introduction of free choice, early analysis suggests some patients are using their right to choose the hospital at which they are treated.
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LeaderMid Staffordshire: improvement must be routine, not just the result of a scandal
In his report into the lessons to be learned from the failures at Mid Staffordshire foundation trust, national primary care director David Colin-Thomé concluded that responsibility lies firmly with the management board and staff.
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CommentNoel Plumridge on expenses and exploitation
It was a cheap Chinese restaurant, just near the bus terminal in a quiet Northern town. Now, I’m partial to Chinese food when away on business, not least because the single male traveller can usually eat a plate of chow mien or special fried rice without feeling awkward and without ...
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Media Watch: Alan Johnson for prime minister
“How Johnson became the model Labour candidate for the top job,” was The Independent on Sunday’s headline on coverage of the party’s most recent leadership dilemmas.
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Matthew Winn on community health providers
The Darzi review brings community providers the policies they have long called for but the new austerity means they must prove their worth with cost-effective innovations
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CommentMark Goldman on clinical leadership's tipping point
Many years ago, I was advised by an eminent professor that if enough people all wanted something to happen at the same time it always happened. As far as the events of men rather than nature are concerned, this has proved to be a truth.
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CommentKen Jarrold on the NHS and the credit crunch
These are dangerous times for public servants. The recession is having a devastating impact on the lives and life chances of many employed in the private sector. In contrast, relatively few public servants are losing their jobs.
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LeaderNHS boards ignorant of brewing danger and scandal
If a major problem is brewing in your hospital, don’t bank on the board spotting it before it becomes a scandal.
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LeaderRose Gibb case underlines cost of failure for NHS managers
The judgement against Rose Gibb in her claim for breach of contract reinforces the accountability of senior managers for service failures, and slashes the chances of pay-offs.
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CommentPaul Corrigan on NHS cultures
My problem with a single powerful culture comes from growing up in the 1950s. English culture was pleased with itself. Its rejection of difference threatened that the cost of being different would be high. You would be on your own.
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CommentSimon Stevens on what the Budget means for health spending
So the Budget has confirmed what we already knew: there’s a major public spending crunch ahead. Spending across government is targeted to grow at just 0.7 per cent over the period 2011-12 to 2013-14.
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CommentWhen communities pull together there is a big health benefit
The UK’s growing diversity and individualism are reflected in many health issues, and the NHS should be forging strong partnerships to create equalities across communities
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Michael White on the Budget crisis
A shadow Cabinet heavyweight summed up the Budget crisis with brutal clarity: “We have been paying nurses by taxing bankers’ bonuses. It’s unsustainable,” the MP observed with some sadness.
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CommentLisa Rodrigues on the dos and don'ts of effective communication
Leaders seem to love lists that tell them what to do – The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, and The Eighteen Challenges of Leadership to name but three of the more popular management books.
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Andy Black on hospital acquired thickness
Why do some staff address patients in baby talk, or treat them as an irritant if they ask for a window to be opened? It’s because of a virulent condition that can sweep through wards like wildfire
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CommentJenny Rogers on predictable irrationality in the NHS
The notorious US bank robber Willie Sutton, when asked why he raided banks so prolifically, allegedly answered, “because that’s where the money is”.
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CommentMedia Watch: swine flu
The Department of Health was quick to offer reassurance at the start of this week after warnings of a pandemic of a new killer flu virus.
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CommentInvolving junior doctors in implementing the European working time directive
The involvement of junior doctors in implementing changes to working hours in the UK is not a new concept. Going back to the 1990s, the regional task forces on junior doctors’ working hours, charged with the responsibility of implementing the new deal, often included junior doctor medical advisers.