As with all NHS chief executives in my experience (I have now got through eight) they do the rounds of the hospital departments when they are appointed and then one never sees them again, unless one is in trouble, that is. This is called Management, I believe. ‘I’m giving you advance warning of a meeting you are to have with me in the New Year,’ he announced. ‘But what’s it about?’ I asked, immediately anxious. ‘That will have to wait until the meeting.’ ‘For Christ’s sake – why are you ringing me up now then?’ ‘To give you advance warning.’
