Healthcare catch up

Inertia rather than privatisation is the biggest threat facing the NHS Chris Ham is chief executive of The Kings Fund. He argues that the most effective response to concerns that the core values of the NHS are under threat is to show that it can adapt rapidly to the challenging environment in which we live. BMA: one hundred years of solidarity The British Medical Association looks back at a hundred years of its GPs committee and summarises a report from health historian John Eversley on the history of the general practitioners' defence fund. Size may not be everything: reviewing hospital mergers "If the NHS is to put in place a sustainable model for many of the NHS trusts seeking Foundation Trust status, the key – missing – step is a proper understanding of why these organisations are financially challenged," writes Anita Charlesworth on the Nuffield Trust blog. Peter Carter: 'NHS critics listened to but not heard' This video from The Telegraph features the chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing speaking about David Cameron's decision not to include critics of the NHS reforms in a government meeting. Department of Health: health and social care bill explained This handy page of links summarises key policy areas and themes of the bill. London health care: perspectives from the board Claire Perry gives her views on the challenges facing healthcare in London, on The King's Fund blog this week. Behind the curtain This comment piece in Pulse questions why Andrew Lansley was able to be heckled so easily outside Downing Street at the start of the week. The video of June Hautot confronting the health secretary can also be found online here , and she explains here on comment is free what she said to Andrew Lansley and why. Newcastle hospital boss denies staff argued with David Cameron Did staff at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary argue with David Cameron over NHS reforms during a visit? Martin Beckford from the Telegraph investigates. How to use Twitter for health campaigns Last week was social media week and there was lively debate on the network about how NHS staff and organisations should be using online platforms to communicate with patients. This piece from Salma Patel's blog summarises useful tips for using Twitter in healthcare campaigns. #SMWNMC event Staying on the subject of social media, you can find a transcript of last week's NMC event on social media over at the NHS social media blog. You can also find some feedback on NHSSM's coverage of the event on Claireot's blog . Practice run by private firm to deregister 166 elderly patients less than six months after taking them on "Private company The Practice is to deregister over a hundred elderly patients less than six months after NHS managers overhauled the terms offered to the private provider to provide an 'enhanced care home service'," writes Andrew McNicoll in Pulse. In local news... Plymouth University announced £25m investment in health research NHS trust warned for breaching standards Falls prevention "will save NHS billions'' New era in health as services merge Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital in talk with private firms as possible partners This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the healthcare network to receive regular emails and exclusive offers.