Partnership with private sector only way to tackle waiting lists properly
Government plans for five to ten years ahead tend to be affected by deep discounting and great uncertainty about future funding. Even a prime ministerial assurance may not be worth much against the global market place. Long term plans have their place, but should be thought of as a process with a series of steps. The key question is about the first phase: can we get momentum going in making a real difference to the problem?
Consuming health care
Another year winds itself up like a scroll. As the final few days stretch out before the festive season, managers throughout the country will be hoping that the seasonal flu remains as it is at present: mainly of the least virulent strain. The prayer must be that, if not ‘the season to be jolly’, this winter will not be the cause of misery for patients and for all the team of staff throughout the health service.
New Dutch health minister will need to compromise
A senior figure in Dutch medicine has been appointed to steer health services through the conflicting demands of a coalition government formed last week. As the Netherlands' new health minister, Professor Els Borst-Eilers has the task of picking up the pieces of reforms to the health insurance system, saving £430m in four years, and maintaining the quality and breadth of services.

Professor Borst-Eilers trained as a doctor before pursuing an academic career in immunology. She was medical director of Utrecht University Hospital for 13 years and since 1986 has been deputy chairperson of the health council, a government scientific advisory body. She has argued through the council that the use of new medical …