What’s the cure for an ailing NHS? You won't find it in birthday soundbites from politicians | Simon Jenkins

Serious debate about reform is dead in the water because political dogma and point-scoring are the order of the day

Everyone agrees that Britain’s 75-year-old NHS needs rescue and overhaul. But what does this mean? Surgery, therapy, the oxygen of cash, a slap in the face or just a hip replacement? And how is this to be decided? At that point agreement ends. There is silence.

This week the former health secretary Sajid Javid said the service’s current structure was “unsustainable” and in need of a ...