When coronavirus first struck Britain, Boris Johnson assured the public that ‘our country remains extremely well prepared’ to cope. Among our national assets, he boasted, was a ‘fantastic testing system’. Even when the virus was at its peak in May, the Prime Minister was still in hyperbolic mode as he promised that the testing regime … Read more
We all know someone who has, let’s say, certain quirks. Perhaps they like their pens and pencils perfectly aligned on their desk. Or they are forever plumping up their cushions. Or their cutlery drawer is a work of art and their wardrobe perfectly colour-co-ordinated. All too often they will try to laugh off this quirky … Read more
Here we go again! A new war is declared on obesity and this time it’s personal. For it’s the Prime Minister himself who is leading the charge. After his brush with death courtesy of Covid-19, he has undergone something of a Damascene conversion. Now he knows the high price to be paid for those excess … Read more
Rapper Kanye West has long had a reputation for attention-seeking and so, when he announced on July 4 that he was going to stand for the presidency, it was hard to know whether he was being serious or just seeking publicity. But as his behaviour become increasingly erratic, it began to look as if West, … Read more
The past four weeks have seen changes in the NHS that none of us could have imagined. As the severity of the coronavirus pandemic became clear, emergency plans to treat the sudden influx of very sick patients swung into action. The way the NHS has responded has been extraordinary. The scale and speed has been breathtaking … Read more
One of the things I find fascinating about my job is how people can surprise you. Most of the time, human beings follow fairly predictable patterns of behaviour. We like to think we are unique but, actually, most of us have similar motivations, fears, worries, preoccupations and needs. Sometimes, however, people act out of character. … Read more
Whisper it… but could it be we have gone too far? That is the alarming question my colleagues and I are beginning to ask, firstly of ourselves and then, cautiously, of each other. In our understandable but frenzied drive to ‘Save the NHS’ from the scourge of coronavirus, are we inflicting long-term damage on millions … Read more
The news that the Prime Minister had been moved to intensive care on Monday night was a shock to every one of us. Proof, if we needed it, that anyone is vulnerable to the ravages of Covid-19. Thankfully, Boris Johnson is now out of the ICU at St Thomas’ Hospital and said to be walking. … Read more