Rosemary Barry writes:
It was unfortunate that the weather had been so bad and that the 11th January was particularly unpleasant with disrupted ferry crossings. And the academic sounding title of the talk itself was not one to encourage the leaving of a cosy home on such an afternoon . Nevertheless a determined bunch of islanders were there to welcome Professor Cam Donaldson as he spoke of ‘Bringing Health Economics back into Public Policy’. Or, with a nod to the father of it all ,Aneurin Bevin ,‘In Place of Fear 02’. Which is what he had wanted to call his recent book but his publishers hadn’t allowed it.
Cam was an engaging speaker who explained with feeling why he felt economics had been crucially missing in the roll out of the NHS since the late 1940s. And why Bevan had got it so wrong in asserting that no economic argument was necessary as the new service – free
at point of need – would save resources as peoples’ health improved.
Professor Cam Donaldson Taproot 11.01.26
Following the outline of his book, he ranged from the role of the private sector to the impact of the pandemic and the way current adult social care is funded. He ended with ideas for how an integrated Health and Social Care could (and should) be better funded.
There were opportunities for audience questions and comments throughout what was an interesting and thought provoking presentation. However, as we scuttled out into the icy, driving rain it might have been better to start the New Year programme with a more uplifting topic.