All Leader articles – Page 24
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LeaderWe embrace NHS reform – but not the idea of a clinical takeover
Last week’s leader explored the risks of giving GPs a central role in commissioning.
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LeaderWe need the NHS Confederation – now here’s the sort of leader that it needs
Steve Barnett’s resignation as the chief executive of the NHS Confederation is a cause for sadness - he is a well-liked man - but it is also an opportunity.
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LeaderMcKinsey report: unthinkable solutions set scene for NHS cuts
What lies behind the governments’s decision to publish the McKinsey report into NHS cost savings this week?
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Leader20 questions the coalition must nail if its agenda is to succeed
The coalition has got off to an impressive start in rolling out its health policy. Speed and consistency have been to the fore. Judging from the feedback on HSJ’s website, the broad sweep of policy is seen as logical and appropriate to the challenges ahead.
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LeaderDare one step further and keep Lansley in post for the full term
Andrew Lansley is the best prepared health secretary of modern politics. During his time as shadow health spokesman, Labour went through five health secretaries.
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LeaderCoalition’s uncertain future threatens NHS renewal
The new prime minister has declared his determination that the Conservative Liberal coalition will deliver stable government. The planned early legislation to introduce a fixed term parliament would mean that the prospect of another election in the next 24 months receding rapidly.
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LeaderNHS managers are not overpaid – but their rewards must reflect results
Health service managers are comfortable with - or at least resigned to - the paradox of rising public expectation and plunging public regard.
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LeaderNational GP referral guidelines are needed to reduce inequalities
HSJ’s analysis of the first national collection of patient reported quality measures confirms what has long been suspected: better off patients undergo surgical procedures sooner after they develop health problems than poorer patients.
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LeaderElected PCT boards - we're not ready
If the Liberal Democrats hold the balance of power in a hung parliament, then we now know what their number one health bargaining chip would be.
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LeaderNHS pay: will you dare to lead by example?
Will the post-election period bring radical pay reductions and pension reform to the public sector similar to those being experienced in Ireland?
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LeaderFoundation trusts: new approach needed to unblock the pipeline
The financial discipline that comes with foundation status is alone an argument for moving all NHS trusts in that direction. A powerful secondary reason is the greater clarity given to the accountability of board directors.
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LeaderNHS medics must face the issue of productivity
Trusts are taking tentative steps into the landmine riddled territory of their consultants’ productivity.
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LeaderAlternative providers: a good idea is a good idea, whoever had it
After three years editing HSJ I am still struck by the NHS’s antediluvian attitudes to the private and voluntary sectors. It does not want this mirror held in front of it.
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LeaderFlimsy electoral one-liners must make way for realistic policies
Now the general election has been called, the NHS can finally start crossing off the days until some honesty returns to the debate about the future of healthcare.
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LeaderWe need to face up to tough choices on social care – fast
The social care white paper unveiled on Tuesday is an important step on the way to getting politicians and voters to face difficult choices.
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LeaderAfter two decades of wandering, commissioning has a destination
The report on commissioning from the Commons health select committee is both insightful and flawed.
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LeaderSteve Bundred is stepping up at a pivotal time
The appointment of Steve Bundred as chair of Monitor is a shrewd choice.
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LeaderIt may not have been pretty, but Labour gave new life to the NHS
This week leading commentators give their verdict on Labour’s 13 year stewardship of the NHS.
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LeaderHeed Liam Donaldson’s frosty warning on winter pressures
The chief medical officer’s call for a plan to reduce the number of deaths in winter was welcomed by the health service but the responses from different parts of the sector smacked of buck passing.