I was concerned to learn from a casual meeting in Kidderminster last Saturday that a sentence in one of my previous articles in the Worcester News’ sister paper, the Kidderminster Shuttle, has been taken by members of the county cytology laboratory staff as criticism.
I apologise if that is how it was understood as there was no intention to criticise staff who all work extremely hard sometimes under adverse conditions, and without the most modern equipment, to maintain an efficient, high quality service.
The reality of the market in health care is that primary care trusts as commissioners have to look for the cheapest provider of a service sometimes without being able to take quality or location of services into account.
In Kidderminster the excitement about Harriers’ FA Trophy Final at Wembley is nearly as great as when they won their way into the league a few years ago.
I am told there will be enough tickets for everyone who wishes to support Harriers and to take this chance to see the new Wembley.
The Health Select Committee’s report on Patient and Public Involvement in Health has been published, hopefully in time to influence the Local Government Bill which will decide the future for the representation of people who want a say in health matters.
The report roundly condemns the Government for disbanding patient forums just three years after their formation following the abolition of community health councils (CHCs).
Many believe that the abolition of CHCs was wrong and now to do the same to patient forums just as the good ones, like those in our county, are becoming effective, is madness.
The last fortnight in London has been frustrating for anyone interested in NHS issues.
The Government has made it clear that they will oppose the carefully considered amendments to the Mental Health Bill from the House of Lords even though these improved the draft Bill sufficiently to gain the support of various bodies.
It is hard to know who is on the Government’s side in this debate leading them to disregard all the advice given by so many with expert experience of the service.
Another frustration relates to the Medical Training Application Service (MTAS), the computerised gateway to improvements in junior doctor training.
MTAS appears to be a disaster to the thousands of junior doctors affected and also to many of the senior consultants involved in postgraduate training and the selection of the best candidates for specialist training.
Not surprisingly, the Government takes its advice from the BMA and the Medical Royal Colleges who on this occasion seem to be out of step with grass roots medical opinion.