PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH ON THE NHS

16th MAY 2011

Six weeks ago, we announced a pause in our plans for the modernisation of the health service.

Since then there’s been a whole flurry of debate.

Column inches have been written. Concerns aired. Passions raised.

That goes to show something I’ve known all along: that the NHS is the most important thing to Britain’s families.

Well, let me tell you this.

It’s the most important thing to my family too.

Health economist nonpareil Professor Alan Maynard looks into the Steve Field and Mark Britnell interventions, in search of susbstance.

This past week has demonstrated that madness is rampant in health policy debates. There is clearly a need to be concerned about the condition of some noisy health policy wonks.

Goodness me. This speech that PM David Cameron is to give tomorrow morning at a hospital in West London looks amusing. If the Telegraph's briefing is right, which I think we can assume it is.

......................................................................

Health Policy Intelligence is our new, weekly subscription-based analysis service.

The seventh issue, 'You say substantive and I say substantial', is now out.

Health Policy Intelligence is not available as free content. Subscription costs £8 a month / £69 a year for an individual. Increasing discounts are available to organisations wanting to subscribe for groups of more than 5 and 10 individuals.

A sample copy is available by request - to receive one, email with your name and job title to editorial AT healthpolicyinsight.com.

The Guardian's Denis Campbell has a fascinating interview with Professor Steve Field, of the Future Forum listening exercise.

......................................................................

Click here for details of 'You say substantive and I say substantial', via subscription-based Health Policy Intelligence.

......................................................................

The joyous merriment of the pointless Future Forum listening exercise is becoming a gift that keeps on giving.

......................................................................

Click here for details of 'You say substantive and I say substantial', Issue 7 of subscription-based Health Policy Intelligence.

......................................................................

This guest editorial from Dr Steve Kell GP, and Chair, Bassetlaw Commissioning Organisation, looks at what separates the great from the good, and what this teaches us about clinically-led commissioning.

A few years ago, I came across a book that changed not only many of my views, but also my management style. This book was surprisingly simple, easy to read, and is one that I have shared with many others since.

Its title? Good To Great, by Jim Collins.

......................................................................

I’ve previously mentioned the lovely story that the Future Forum listening exercise doesn’t receive incoming phone calls.

Further to that, a friend recently pointed out that various media have reported that the Future Forum will submit a report to Downing Street on 23 May. Yet curiously, the deadline for responses is 31st May. There is no point in submitting during that last week.

......................................................................

Monitor's chair Dr David Bennett, whose Times interview caused such ructions, gave a speech at Cass Business School yesterday morning.

The transcript can be downloaded here, and the text is copied below, with a few key quotes extracted at the beginning.

It is worth noting that Bennett makes very clear what he says is based on the current legislation - which he expects is going to change.

The NHS is centre-stage, politically. It's not always a comfortable spot, but the acoustics are great if you can hack the limelight.

After Monday's cul-de-sac of an Opposition Day debate, today we had PMQs, during which Labour party leader Ed Miliband used all of his questions on the NHS.

......................................................................