All the fun of the seaside
Released 19/10/2008
Matthew Jane visits Bournemouth to attend the NHS Alliance
Overlooking the beaches of Britain's south coast, with the Isle of Wight just visible through the sea mist, the NHS Alliance held its annual conference, aiming to breathe fresh life and optimism into the thinking behind the NHS and primary care specifically.
Friday was the conclusion of a two day conference which has touched upon many key issues in the sector.
Whilst many of the delegates took the opportunity to raise concerns and issues that they see at the precipice of primary care, there was an overwhelming optimism engulfing the proceedings.
Whether it was the quirky views of television medic Dr Phil Hammond, who brought laughter aplenty to the days formalities, or the off-the-cuff quips of Dr Donal Hynes, vice-chairman of NHS Alliance, the proceedings were under set by positivity.
Slightly controversial views of the day included Baroness Warnock's declaration that we need more means testing in the NHS, drawing parallels to the grammar schools of the 1950s, where people what they could and got an excellent education.
Also, Dr Hammond's anecdotal description of his struggle to obtain his choice of contraception for his daughter portrayed an amusing yet equally thought-provoking issue of co-payments, whilst at the same time having a swipe at the information provided by the NHS Choices website.
One of the resounding messages to come from the day was that the NHS is vital, and primary care should be the lynchpin beneath it.
And if you needed any further proof that primary care in the NHS is the envy of the modern world, it was delivered by Dr David Hibbard, an American GP with 40 years experience.
Hibbard's declaration that the NHS is "absolutely better than the American model" was warmly received with knowing nods and murmurs of approval.
His concluding remarks that we should feel blessed to work in such a system and that he "would personally love to work in it" were the icing on the cake and just the sort of pat on the back that NHS workers deserve.