Straws in the Wind

In the last two weeks, while all the shenanigans about who was going to be the next Labour leader was going on, a smaller but very significant battle was going on in NHS Lothian. John Cochrane, who is one of three councillors elected on a hospital ticket for St Johns in Livingston, had been nominated to the health board. NHS Lothian objected furiously. Nicola Sturgeon intervened and the health board backed down. John is now on the board and there is nothing NHS Lothian can do about it.

Why is this so important? It's only one vote after all, and ultimate authority lies with central government.
It is important because it means that the health board can no longer conceal information about PFI contracts and the like from campaigners, under the catch-all of commercial confidentiality. It means that public money that is being spent on these contracts, will be publically accountable. It is a huge step forward. All due credit to Nicola Sturgeon for supporting them.

Some months ago, Bill Butler put forward his Health Election bill, which our group was involved in. It was to allow people to be elected directly onto their local health board, instead of the board hand picking them from the usual suspects. The board would have a majority of elected members, but would have seats set aside for medical experts. Not surprisingly, it lost, but maybe there will be a re-appearance. But good on St John's. They've cut to the chase, and I predict that in the next couple of years this will be seen as one of the most significant moments in the health battle. Go gettem John!