The recent Cambridge University Leadership Programme looked at sustainable development in health services worldwide. It was an opportunity to hear the evidence and arguments which were both persuasive and alarming. […]
Guest writers
Aser Garcia Rada: A good example of transparency for Spanish politicians
On 23 March the Spanish cabinet passed a new draft bill on transparency in public administration, which in other countries is called the Freedom of Information Act. So far Spain […]
Elizabeth Gargon: 2194 visits and 180 days—a challenge and a milestone are hit by the COMET database
Inconsistencies in health research are well documented, affecting anyone trying to use this information to make a choice about healthcare or to cope with the abundance of data generated by […]
Lisa Hallgarten: Does midwifery have to be privatised to achieve continuity of care for women?
Earlier this year we received news of a social enterprise, Neighbourhood Midwives, providing midwifery services in the community in London, and a private company providing midwifery services for NHS Wirral […]
Richard Vize: Integrate
Integrating care across the NHS and social care holds the promise of giving patients a better service at the same time as cutting costs. But a study for the government […]
Ryuki Kassai: The first anniversary of the Japanese tsunami
According to the plan, we should be well along the path to rebirth, but in reality, foolishness has continued, and nihilism and despair have only spread. Hayao Miyazaki: Nausicaä of […]
Lord Ashcroft: Anti-NHS Bill candidates would boost the Conservative Party
A group of doctors is threatening to stand candidates at the next general election in revenge for the Health and Social Care Bill. The anti-reform medics plan to target at […]
Ken Taylor: Why the NHS Health and Social Care Bill is bad for patients
The prime reason that this legislation will prove a disaster for patients is obvious. If you are relying on the NHS for care it is your GP who will be […]
Ivan Gayton on geeks and primitive fieldworkers: a tale of two cultures
As a project manager for MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders), a medical emergency humanitarian agency, I attended this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, in the […]
Michael Dixon: Carpe diem—the politicians have had their day, now it’s time for doctors to seize the initiative
It is all over now. The Health and Social Care Bill has been passed. The politicians have moved on, content to leave professionals and managers to pick up the pieces. […]