Readers will not be surprised to know that I am very mistrustful of the ability of internal NHS culture to reform itself with sufficient speed and depth to enable it to survive, let alone thrive. Nor that it is my belief that many of the appointments to the leadership of the NCB have been from within the most conservative wing of that most conservative culture. Given how much power the NCB has been given by the Secretary of State over the future of the NHS, this is a big worry.
But blog readers will also remember how pleased I was at the appointment of the non-executive directors of the NCB – all of which come from outside of that culture and with the potential ability to lead the changes that will be necessary. As I said Board meetings look to be a treat.
