Keystone of our NHS

THE fact that fewer than half of patients in England can regularly see their preferred GP marks a depressing milestone.

Being able to consult the family doctor was once a cherished right. Today, that vital bond is gradually being broken.

Despite the bleatings of the Left and the health unions, this can’t simply be about money. Vast sums have been injected into the NHS in recent years, yet service is declining. Instead of launching trendy schemes like the tie-up with Amazon Alexa to keep patients away from surgeries, perhaps the Health Secretary needs to go back to first principles.

The relationship between GP and patient is the keystone of the NHS. Let it corrode, and the whole edifice could crumble. DO police officers really need a degree? According to the College of Policing, the answer is yes. From 2020 they say all trainee constables must have degree-level qualifications. But why? Good coppers need many qualities. Calmness under pressure, good communication, resilience, a fair and open mind. Whether a prospective recruit is or isn’t a graduate is surely irrelevant. These are skills learned in the university of life.