The extra resources announced in the March 2000 Budget are, of course, welcome. The Prime Minister's statements on modernising the NHS are of mixed quality. It is disappointing that he did not mention democracy, and that the underlying assumption of his statement is that improvement can be directed from the
centre, so that he expects even the devolved administrations accountable to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales to adopt a uniform programme of
modernisation. Some of the matters that the Prime Minister mentioned are, however, more appropriate. I am sure removing barriers between professions and enabling nurses or other specialist staff to perform functions currently restricted to those with medical qualifications will need legislation that the Government will need to promote. The overall impression is of a defensive Government trying to rescue an unsatisfactory service to ensure its own re-election. not of communities taking control to raise their health services to acceptable standards.
General criticism and general sources are followed by topics.
Index of the sub section