West et al published an analysis of the NHS SSS [1], the NHS smoking cessation programme, in the BMJ, in July.
http://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f4921
It provides an interesting analysis of performance over the 10 years examined. The three notable factors are:
1. The paper does not mention that the costs quoted are only around 50% of the actual costs. The NHS routinely attempts to hide the drug costs associated with smoking treatments, for some reason; and since these are about equal to the NHS costs, the 'costs' published by them can be more or less doubled to get the real figure: what...
It is becoming increasingly obvious that the Department of Health is afflicted by endemic incompetence and corruption. Here are just some of the articles (just on the BBC) from just the last few days.
@July 16th
Failings probed at 'worst' hospitals:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23315869
NHS failings 'being suppressed':
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23309720
Neuberger: 'Panel were hugely shocked at some stories':
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23311456
Liverpool Care Pathway 'should be phased out':
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23302539
Family anger over man's Liverpool Care Pathway death:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-21687717
Newbury widow's anger over husband's hospital death:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-21249127
@June 21st
The rotten side of the NHS:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22968167
NHS cover-up revealed:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22992625
MPs to quiz CQC...