The last bite

Thanks Jeremy

I don’t think I’ve ever really overtly commented on political appointments in my many years of writing this column but I have to say that the new health secretary Jeremy Hunt is proving to be a huge help in terms of items for the Last Bite page. Last month he opined that the NHS should strive to be paperless and his latest good idea is for GPs to take efficiency lessons from Easyjet. I couldn’t make it up.

Urging our medical colleagues to start offering ‘e-consultations’ lasting just 60-seconds instead of the customary 10 minutes, I wonder if he will turn to us next with ideas to help reduce overheads as on other low-cost airlines? We could start charging patients for using the toilet, ask extra for premium appointment slots during busy periods such as school holidays and of course request that they take all their rubbish with them to save on cleaning. I for one can’t wait to see the first dental nurse, arms flailing, describing the emergency exit procedure from the waiting room.