Published: 13/12/2001, Volume III, No. 5785 Page 68
Politicians are a funny lot, and you could be forgiven for thinking they are from a different planet. But health minister John Hutton is more down to earth than most, and it is refreshing to discover that he has a sense of humour, enjoys watching sport and suffers hunger pangs, just like the rest of us.' The revelation comes in in an interview in this month's MedEconomics , in a piece which reveals the naked underbelly of Monitor's fave health minister.
'As we sit down to interview Mr Hutton, he lets slip that he missed lunch and is awaiting the arrival of some toast. At the end of our meeting, still toastless, he remains amicable and talks about his interests outside politics and the paintings on his office walls.'
What a guy. It is not every man who can battle on in the absence of grilled bread. But That is not all: 'I used to have lots of leisure interests and I am keen on physical fitness and sport in general. I am a film-goer, rather than a theatregoer. One of my favourite film actors is Robert de Niro. I also have a huge amount of respect for Madonna. She has stayed true to herself at great ' personal cost. Her music is fantastic too.' Readers who can spot the similarities between the material girl and the primary care boy should contact Monitor urgently.
And finally, it was charming to spot old mucker Roy Lilley doing the conference circuit again last week at the NICE jamboree.
Roy's session brought an approximation of 'rhythm and blues' to the masses, and what's more, he made them join in. One delegate wondered out loud if NICE might need to take some tough decisions about rationing this sort of 'entertainment'.
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