Did you happen to watch the “Hard Talk” programme on the 11th October? Bit of an early show but well worth a look if you are an early riser!

In the BBC programme, Sir David Nicholson was interviewed by the BBC – he is head of the NHS in England.  He said A&E is not sustainable in the current form, he said the system was dysfunctional so fundamental change was needed – he distinguished between funding and leadership he said pay was a massive issue his words they must control the pay bill and they must have fewer staff.

 He said “patient’s power must drive the NHS”….. His quote.

 We need long term fixers he talks about 3-4 year implementations and he says the Healthcare System is a political football with a budget of £100 billion pounds; Government wants results.  He also said more community services “ patients must take control over their own health care” rationing of key treatments.

NHS principle is to be free at point of use and widely available.  User charges, competitive private care, state provision are not good. A fair system is wanted by patients and soon….

Luis Fairman, November 2013