This is not the way to run a railroad or even the National Health Service. The government has jumped through so many hoops and performed so many contortions they should be running a circus. The government's treatment of the NHS is a disgrace.
First, the Tories tried to convince us that the NHS is safe in their hands. They made soothing promises of extra funding with no upheavals imposed from the top.
Then they get power but not a mandate and reverse this by railroading different proposals through the Commons with the full support of their LibDem partners.
Then the LibDems get cold feet and they adopt a dog's dinner that gives us the worst of all worlds.
The changes don't improve patient care, which could largely be met without legislation and certainly without the huge risk and cost of the biggest reorganisation in NHS history.
Instead we will have more centralisation, more complex bureaucracy and more wasted cost in the years to come.
Nick Clegg said that it is best to take our time to get it right rather than move too fast and risk getting the details wrong. Yet the government has decided to rush their new proposals through the Commons without proper scrutiny.
My fear is that if the Commons is not allowed to do its job in helping get the details right then chaos, confusion and the wasted cost - money that should be spent on patient care - will continue. It is a shameful sham.
On a cheerier local note, I often hear about projects that give back to the community. One of these is the Summer of a Lifetime scheme whereby sixteen year-olds in Gateshead can get a free outward bound and volunteering programme over the summer with mentoring from athletes Craig Heap and Chris Cook.
I suggest anyone interested gets their skates on though if they want to spend a fortnight on teambuilding and outdoor activities. This will be exciting and also teach skills that will help young people get a foothold in the workplace. They can help themselves and others at the same time.
The programme starts on 8 July and is totally free. There's a sign-up day on 1 July. To book a place, contact Adam Graham on (0191) 478 4103 or adamgraham@gvoc.org.uk
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |