The most frequently quoted example came from the value-for-money unit of the NHS directorate at the Welsh Office. It described a bed as 'a device or arrangement that may be used to permit a patient to lie down when the need to do so is a consequence of the patient's condition rather than a need for active intervention such as examination, diagnostic investigation, manipulative treatment, obstetric delivery or transport'.

Another example quoted, but not attributed, by the Plain English Campaign is: 'This outline regional information strategy is an interim report. In a sense, an information strategy can never be definitive. To talk about information is to talk about objectives. A lot of thought is now being applied throughout the NHS to mission statements and objectives, from which we should obtain a clearer view of our information needs. Objectives never stand still, and therefore an information strategy will of necessity be a continually developing concept. The process of clarification will be incremental, and the concept of a definitive strategy will remain illusory.'

Plain English suggested the following: 'This strategy is not set in stone. If our needs or objectives change, then this strategy may need to be altered.'

A third NHS example, also not identified, was: 'We are working towards the continued adoption of clinical developments which minimise the need for patients to be treated on a hospital site.' This was transformed into: 'We want to find ways of treating patients without them having to visit hospital.'