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...