MTAS is finally scrapped
The BBC is reporting that the MTAS online recruitment system is being completely withdrawn. A belated good decision or the only option left?
Review of the Papers, Tuesday 15 May
Government Fathers will be allowed a half share of their partner's year-long maternity leave, the Government said yesterday as it set out new proposals to boost the role of dads. Under the plan, a woman entitled to 12 months off work after…
What have our MPs got to hide?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 was, at least in principle, a good piece of legislation. It is not perfect and as far as I'm concern had too many ambiguities and exemptions. But all in all it made for a far more open government and…
Review of the Papers, Monday 14 May
Government Prisoners are being held in court cells that cost more per night than a suite at the Ritz it emerged as ministers were accused of an "absurd waste of money". The Government faced condemnation after it was revealed that 7…
Policy Announcements, Monday 14 May
Government Today the Prime Minister announced there are now over 200 schools on track to get Trust status - double the number expected at this point. Over 140 primary, secondary and special schools have applied to become Trusts in the last…
Letter to The Times: MTAS
Below is a letter to the editor printed in today's Times. It makes very, interesting reading and has been signed by 18 members of the great and the good of the medical world: (I have highlighted some of the key statements) -Sir, The junior…
International disinterestedness
What do the following have in common? The top 16 in the Eurovision Song Contest consist of 14 former communist-block countries, plus Greece and Turkey. As usual, regional block-voting dominated the outcome. Zimbabwe was elected to head the…
Review of the Papers, Friday 11 May
Government Exam papers will be tagged this summer in a crackdown on cheating, one of the country's biggest exam boards reveals today. Edexcel, which marks 13 million question papers a year, will install a radio-controlled device in bags of…
The crazy logic of the health service
How about this for a health policy? Instead of putting patients in the more cost effective hospital, move them to the ones that are losing loads of money and cost more to run and then close down the more cost effective ones. Well that is…
Policy Announcements, Friday 11 May
Government Businesses in five areas across the country are to benefit from NHS advice and support to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of their staff, health minister Rosie Winterton announced today. The five new…
Impartiality of state employees
There was some accidentally revealing stuff today on Radio 5Live's reporting of Tony Blair's resignation and their review of his premiership. First Jane Garvey reported that the halls of Corporation House were awash with empty champagne…
Policy Announcements, Thursday 10th May
Government As part of reforms to deliver a patient-led NHS and to meet targets to cut waiting times by 2008, the Department has involved the independent sector in delivering health services. These services are run by the independent sector…