A new Nadir

I thought that I would retire gracefully, and leave it to others to comment on all things medical. I have maintained this self-induced purdah through thick and thin over the last year, and resisted any temptation to comment on matters medical.

One thing has changed my mind, and that is the wondrous incompetence of our current Secretary of State for Health, a certain Mr Jeremy Hunt MP.

Jeremy is a man who takes no advice from anyone medical, for he clearly knows best what to do. You won't need GPs in 20 years time, all you need is a computer and an algorithm to diagnose anything. His tame puppets, like the ghastly Sophie Borland of the Daily Mail (see blogs passim) or Sarah Baxter in the Sunday Times (who sees no need for GPs) dutifully spout his line.

Jeremy thinks we should google skin rashes to make a diagnosis. He thinks this is feasible. This from a man who thinks the privatised NHS 111 is 'successful', and not a disaster as we all predicted - especially as it is run by Care UK (a private firm who gave Mr Hunt's predecessor £29,000 for his private office).

Have you ever seen the rash of meningococcal septicaemia, Mr Hunt? Do you know its significance?

Oh Dear.

I used to think that Patricia Hewitt was the worst Secretary of State for Health: and she was awful. But at least she didn't jeopardise people's health.

Jeremy Hunt - a new nadir.