I was concerned to learn from a chance meeting in Kidderminster last Saturday that part of a sentence in one of my previous Viewpoints has been taken by members of our county cytology laboratory staff as criticism. 
I apologise if that is how it was understood as there was no intention to criticise staff who all work extremely hard sometimes under adverse conditions, and without the most modern equipment, to maintain an efficient, high quality service. 
The reality of the market in health care and NHS deficits is that Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) as commissioners are only looking for the cheapest provider of a service sometimes without being able to take quality or location of services into account.

On Friday I called at Blakebrook School for the celebration of their achievement in the recent Ofsted inspection when they were awarded Grade 1 in all sections and were therefore classed as an 'Outstanding School'. 
I understand they are the only Special School with this distinction in the county. 
The Chair of Governors, Peter Picken, told us that the County Council's plans under discussion for the future of Special Schools in our area have his support as he is confident that his views have been taken into account.

I attended the AGM of Kidderminster Civic Society and was intrigued by hints that the investigation into what lies beneath St Mary's Church has made some exciting discoveries. 
We have to wait until their meeting on 8 June to learn more. 
This meeting is only one part of their exciting future programme.

The last fortnight in London has been frustrating for anyone interested in NHS issues.

The Government has made it clear that they will oppose the carefully considered amendments to the Mental Health Bill from the House of Lords even though these improved the draft Bill sufficiently to gain the support of bodies representing users, carers, health and social care professionals, lawyers, ethnic groups, and religious and voluntary organisations. 
It is hard to know who is on the Government's side in this debate leading them to disregard all the advice given by so many with first hand, expert experience of the service.

Another frustration relates to the Medical Training Application Service (MTAS), the new computerised gateway to the necessary improvements in junior doctor training under the heading of Modernising Medical Careers.
MTAS appears to be a disaster to the thousands of junior doctors affected and also to many of the senior consultants involved in postgraduate training and the selection of the best candidates for specialist training. 
Not surprisingly the Government takes its advice from the BMA and the Medical Royal Colleges who on this occasion seem to be sadly out of step with grass roots medical opinion. 
As one of the very few ex-hospital doctors in the House of Commons I see my role as attempting to bridge this gap.

RT

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