tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200961.post1340549654991041559..comments2024-03-26T07:19:50.901+00:00Comments on Dr Grumble: SecretsDr Grumblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417731064007601504noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200961.post-72026360317449807572009-05-11T18:58:00.000+01:002009-05-11T18:58:00.000+01:00Well, it might be the name of a good film. Thanks ...Well, it might be the name of a good film. Thanks to the Three Wise Doctors.<br /><br />The Cockroach CatcherCockroach Catcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440000294855006966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200961.post-4879315774220020082009-05-10T20:18:00.000+01:002009-05-10T20:18:00.000+01:00Fortunately, GPs are self-employed and therefore a...Fortunately, GPs are self-employed and therefore are not bound by the official secrets act.<br /><br />I would not sign it as it is fairly pernicious bit of legislation that is far too loosely worded.<br /><br />However, people like Allyson Pollock do need to be supported, and we need to ensure that her voice is heard.Jobbing Doctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15556376882759955757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200961.post-71126240486199397392009-05-10T19:02:00.000+01:002009-05-10T19:02:00.000+01:00Bear in mind that the term "secret" is defined in ...Bear in mind that the term "secret" is defined in the Act, and it doesn't just mean anything that the government would rather people didn't know: generally only information on defence, certain aspects of law enforcement and international relations. See the <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_Secrets_Act" REL="nofollow">Wikipedia article</A> for a summary.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200961.post-63664405723782284662009-05-10T12:26:00.000+01:002009-05-10T12:26:00.000+01:00Grumble might get into trouble if he went into det...Grumble might get into trouble if he went into detail on why he has signed the Official Secrets Act. As a lawyer, Dr Crippen, you can probably confirm that it does not matter whether or not you have signed the Act you are covered by it anyway. They get you to sign it to highlight the fact that you are required to keep official secrets secret. In other words it is to put the frighteners on you. The trouble is that Dr Grumble's limited understanding of the Act suggests that virtually anything could be construed as an official secret.<br /><br />Are there things that Grumble knows that he would like to reveal but does not dare? Yes. It's probable the information is already in the public domain but without being sure Dr G is going to keep mum. It is not so much the information that is the problem it is the critical interpretation Dr Grumble would like to put on it that persuades him it is best to stay silent. Doubtless if Dr G were to sing the praises of the government and let a minor secret slip he would get away with it but if he were to be critical it would be asking for trouble. <br /><br />None of this is healthy. It would be in the public interest to reveal many things that the government likes to keep to itself and the amount paid to private contractors to provide NHS care is one. We all have a good idea of what this would show but mostly we just cannot prove. And Dr G is not in a position to tell you whether he knows any more than that or not.Dr Grumblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04417731064007601504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200961.post-12949304908688620692009-05-10T09:42:00.000+01:002009-05-10T09:42:00.000+01:00It is mind boggling to think that a consultant phy...It is mind boggling to think that a consultant physician working within the NHS should <B><I>ever</I></B> have to sign the Official Secrets Act.<br /><br />I am a fan too, and have heard her talk, but sadly Allyson Pollock is a tiny voice in the wilderness. Her excellent BMJ article is technical and will likely be glossed over by the main stream media who will not understand the implications. Meanwhile, NHS expenditure on private enterprise will continue to go unnoticed. For example, who, outside the NHS, really understands the downside of PFI?<br /><br />And now we hear from the RCN that:<br /><br /><I><B>The NHS spent £350m on external management consultants in the last financial year, according to an RCN survey.<br /><br />According to the Freedom of Information Act survey, obtained from 240 NHS organisations in England, nearly £273m of this was not related to direct patient care. </B></I>This is a far far bigger scandal than MPs expenses, vulgar and venal though their behaviour has been.<br /><br />But who will ever know?<br /><br /><br /><br />JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200961.post-19099449149754940072009-05-09T10:11:00.000+01:002009-05-09T10:11:00.000+01:00Allyson Pollock is an absolute star.
She probably...Allyson Pollock is an absolute star.<br /><br />She probably scares the bureaucrats in the Department of Health silly.<br /><br />But everything she has said (I have been to one of her lectures) and written has come true.<br /><br />She should be made a Baroness and put in charge of the Department of Health. I'd go and work for her.Jobbing Doctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15556376882759955757noreply@blogger.com