Editor's blog Tuesday 3 May 2011: New NHS advisory panel for PM Cameron. "Taxi for Mr Lansley ..."
Health Service Journal's Dave West reveals that Number 10 policy advisor Paul Bate has assembled a 10 Downing Street kitchen cabinet committee (or should that be kitchen sink committee?) to bounce around ideas on future health reforms, and on NHS reform in general.
The HSJ story stresses that the panel is not being asked to advise on the progress of Secretary Of State For The Time Being Andrew 'The Magnificent' Lansley's reforms.
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Click here for details of 'Cameron the Winner; Lansley the Magnificent', via subscription-based Health Policy Intelligence.
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Panel members are understood by HSJ to include Lord Crisp of Eaglescliffe (NHS CE and Department of Health permanent secretary 2000-6); Sir Ian Carruthers (acting NHS CE during 2006), now NHS South West CE; former Monitor executive chair Bill Moyes; former NHS director general of commissioning and system management Mark Britnell (now KPMG’s global head of health); UCLH FT CE Sir Robert Naylor; NHS Confederation interim CE Nigel Edwards; Nuffield Trust CE Dr Jennifer Dixon; and David Kerr, professor of cancer medicine at Oxford University and Tory health policy supporter prior to the last election (having previously supported New Labour and advised Tony Blair).
At one level, this is another iteration of Number 10's Blair fetish: all of those people offered Tony Blair health policy advice at one point or another, formally and officially or otherwise.
At another, does it seem to anyone out there like a big vote of confidence in Lansley The Magnificent?
Health Policy Insight is not a major fan of viral-prone liberation theologist Mr Lansley. He is no doubt a personable enough chap; but deeply bad at politics. Which is a hindrance, given that the NHS is all about politics.
However, this level of undermining a serving secretary of state smacks of cruelty to a defenceless person. Even if Mr Lansley is permitted to attend, the whole briefing makes it abundantly clear that this is 10 Downing Street-led.
Begging only the question of whether we should ring the bullying hotline, or a minicab service. "Taxi for Mr Lansley ..."