Julian Patterson
Julian Patterson has been chronicling the absurdity of life in and around the NHS on a weekly basis since 2009. He is best known as the creator of NHS Blithering, the country’s most challenged health economy.
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CommentBlithering backs Streeting
Welcome to the latest edition of the Blithering ICB newsletter, a round-up of all the latest news from the country’s most challenged health economy.
CommentHow to speak manager
If you want to go far in NHS management, don’t make the mistake of confusing plain English words with plain English, writes Julian Patterson
CommentAmanda Pritchard’s diary: Passionate about priorities
This exclusive extract from the NHS chief executive’s diary is brought to you by the letter P (as told to Julian P)
CommentTop ICB boss defends his 'muscular leadership' style
NHS Blithering is rocked to its foundations as allegations of bullying emerge involving veteran leader Sir Trevor Longstay, writes Julian Patterson
CommentNHS Different is 'amazing'
In this blog, first published in the NHS England ICB Bulletin, the newly appointed head of NHS Different, Joy Hunter, traces the organisation’s history and sets out her overarching ambitions
CommentDealing with troublesome 'facts': lessons from the covid inquiry
As one of the NHS’s pre-eminent communications professionals, Martin Plackard is often asked by colleagues how to deal with challenging and difficult situations. Here he considers what we can learn from the government’s handling of the covid inquiry
CommentThe hidden threat posed by fake medics
Real doctors are up in arms as physician associates threaten to replace them on social media, reports Julian Patterson
CommentFrom conception to ridicule: the journey of an NHSE framework
It’s not enough to rely on common sense, sometimes we need NHS England to explain it to us. Julian Patterson has read the Staff Recognition Framework so you don’t have to
CommentLabour will throw everything but money at the NHS
The shadow health minister Wes Streeting sets out a bold vision of a reformed health service not run by a Conservative government. As told to Julian Patterson
CommentMarking your own homework and other stories
In the latest edition of the Blithering Informant, director of values-based stakeholder communications Martin Plackard brings you the latest news from the country’s most challenged integrated care board
Comment‘We saw him coming’ – US firms praise visionary doctor in big data project
The doctor responsible for a ground-breaking new software project claims it will transform patient care
CommentThe sad inevitability of having to regulate useless managers
Sir Trevor Longstay regrets the passing of the old order but acknowledges the need for formal regulation of NHS managers – as long as a suitable leader can be found
CommentNHS to get ‘tough on winter’
The government is determined to crack down on the cost of winter to the NHS. Tougher regulation of cold weather could be the answer, reports Julian Patterson
CommentNHS facing structural collapse
The government has been criticised for not acting sooner to deal with known defects in NHS structures, reports Julian Patterson
Comment‘It was as if we didn’t exist’ – shoe family’s harrowing tale
Underfunding and negligence may have been contributory factors as single mother loses family home, reports Julian Patterson
CommentSomething must be done! Please tell us what
Determined to show that something must be done in the wake of recent high profile care scandals, NHS England has written a strongly typed letter. Julian Patterson has sneaked a copy from the Wellington House photocopier.
CommentHe did it! How Steve Barclay pulled off Health Week
The health secretary bravely battled cancer targets during a triumphant week-long celebration of everything that’s great about Westminster, writes Julian Patterson
Comment'Completely hopeless' ICB reveals radical 'levelling down' strategy
Embattled health system sets up radical new committees with far-reaching remit to help it find its feet. Exclusive interview with Sir Trevor Longstay by Julian Patterson
Comment'We are very sorry' says ICB without a plan
A leading integrated care board has issued a statement explaining how its ‘forward plan’ fell behind and how it intends to aim to make up lost ground. By Martin Plackard (as told to Julian Patterson)
CommentNobody expects the system inspector
If you admire the Care Quality Commission for its work with NHS provider organisations, prepare to be blown away by its plans for integrated care systems. By CQC interloper Julian Patterson