NHS elephant in the room

Last Modified: 30 Jun 2008
By: Newsroom blogger

Inside the morning meeting...

It's a "funny day of pre-set events" according to today's programme editor.

First to the African Union summit. "It's not often that you agree with Mugabe" in this case about being lectured on democracy by the African Union. Several of the leaders at the summit in Egypt also have shaky records.

This also poses questions for the UK government. "If they were to de-recognise Mugabe, then how many others at this meeting would they have to de-recognise."

Back in the UK, Lord Darzi is releasing his review of the NHS and details of a proposed NHS constitution.

The verdict from the newsroom is that "it's not a huge extravaganza" as, in essence, Lord Darzi is "just saying what he's always said".

However, there are lots of different themes and social affairs correspondent Victoria Macdonald will be looking at plans for specialist care to illuminate the debate.

She'll be reporting on a specialist stroke centre which has a higher survival rate than a general hospital, but the patient has to be seen within three hours of the stroke. "If you have a stroke you may drive past your local A&E to get to this unit".

However, the "elephant in the room is the funding" as Lord Darzi's review has not looked at costs.

There's also the stabbing of another young man - 16-year-old Ben Kinsella. Two people have been arrested in connection with the attack.

"That's the end of the news today."

"Not quite". The Financial Services Authority (FSA) releases its annual report today, although "we don't actually think it will be very interesting".

Seventeen people are injured in south-east France after real bullets were used in a military display.

There's an exhibition at the Tate Britain which may be "rather exhausting to watch" as it involves sprinters running through the gallery for three months.

Sprinting is also a focus of the sporting world as athletes campaign for the British Olympic Association to keep a by-law which prevents Dwain Chambers, who formerly failed a drugs test, from competing even thought he has now achieved the qualifying standards.

And finally, Andy Murray is back on Centre Court at Wimbledon this afternoon.