Image: Leo Reynolds/Flickr.
The schemes of NHS England boss Simon (don't stop me now) Stevens and Health Secretary Jeremy (I can't believe I'm still getting away with it) Hunt were well and truly exposed at the Health and Care Innovations Expo in Manchester last month.
Stevens started his keynote speech by boasting about his new beard. But his macho stance faltered when in the question and answer session I asked how Tameside, an area with one of the worst health outcomes in the country and with high levels of social deprivation, could possibly provide the improved health and social care services promised in his 'Sustainability and Transformation Plans' (STPs). I highlighted social services budgets being cuts by 50% and further STP-driven cuts to NHS services and hospital beds.
