The Prime Minister is setting himself up as something of a saviour. First, of the non-drowning Scandinavian swimmer helped from the sea and on to the Blairs' holiday yacht after he strayed too far from the shore. Secondly, of the NHS after his private visit to the accident and emergency unit at one of London's busiest hospitals, St Thomas's. The holiday and the hospital visit were intended to be private but we learned about them - or aspects of them - in ways that showed the Prime Minister in a good light. Both smack of news management, particularly the hospital visit. Mr Blair conveniently mentioned it in a radio interview that was part of the strategy to turn the spotlight away from scandal and Ministerial feuding to the Government's achievements in health and education.
These achievements have been hard to detect in health. Talk of a crisis might be overblown, but morale among doctors and nurses has hardly been lower, as Scottish Health Minister Sam Galbraith heard on an upfront visit to two busy West of Scotland hospitals yesterday. Neither the Prime Minister nor Mr Galbraith should have learned anything new during their visits. If they did, they are being very badly briefed indeed. At least Mr Galbraith's visit was public and known about in advance. He was accompanied by an entourage of media minders, reporters, and photographers and, like Mr Blair, was told some home truths on the ward and in the casualty unit.
Did the Prime Minister shirk the challenge to hear such truths with microphones and cameras in his face as well as sharpened pencils at his back? In truth, we find little that is redeeming about the visit, news of which emerged 12 hours after the event, and then with a suitable spin on it. Absurdly, it has left the Prime Minister looking almost regal, because it is the kind of thing the royals do (or Princess Diana used to do). He is much more knowing than they are. Based on what he and Mr Galbraith said yesterday, the Government will have a real crisis on its hands if it does not live up to pledges to pay nurses properly, boost recruitment, and invest properly in the service so that bed shortages, which can reach crisis levels, are tackled.
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