This prophecy thing is a bit worrying. I was being slightly tongue-in-cheek when I posted on Tuesday about the possibility of NHS institutions losing money in the Icelandic banking crash.

Well, the NHS is certainly going to be affected, because it looks as if local councils have taken a bath. This has obvious implications for social care, and joint working under the new joint strategic needs assessments.

Now ever though several of these are Conservative councils, it remains unlikely the Government will not take some action. But it may not be soon. Look at your joint spending plans now, and get revising.

Exposed to losses:

Kent county council £50 million

Brent approx £27 million

Westminster £17 million

West Sussex county council £12.9 million

Havering £12.5 million

Sutton £5.5 million

Ipswich £2 million

And there is also a very thoughtful little piece on what the credit crunch means for health on Society Guardian.

Elsewhere, you'll find Tom Smith's latest Health Policy Today - a report on health in the US elections).

And if you'd like to take a moment to re-engage with the other real issues for US electors, go take a look at this - if at work, please be aware there's sound.