However, unlike the more obviously contentious education white paper,Our Health, Our Care, Our Say, received relatively little mediaattention. That said, while the current furore over trust schools andparental choice might have political traction, its practical impact mayturn out to be less significant than the change of direction in healthpolicy signalled by these latest proposals.
Following a long period of consultation, the Department of Healthidentified three key patient priorities: having more say and controlover health services; more support for prevention and public health; andbetter access to high-quality, convenient care. The upshot is a set ofproposals aimed at getting the NHS and local councils to work moreclosely together, more flexible access to primary services, and agreater focus on targeting disadvantaged areas with preventativestrategies. Of course, this was exactly the approach outlined in thenational service framework, with the ambition of being practicallyembodied through children's centres and extended schools.
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