I don’t really want to turn this blog into a set of explanations of the way in which those steeped in politics understand the world, but following some of last week’s feedback on my post about Nixon’s recognition of China, I think some people might find it useful for me to explain something of the ways of NHS politics.

Over the last week there has, quite rightly, been a great deal of publicity about the silicone implant problems being experienced by a significant number of women. Watching the DH and the Secretary of State wrestle with this difficult problem and developing their argument has been a bit painful at times and people have asked me how issues like this might be dealt with in a better way.