7 points, 7 flaws: How Jeremy Hunt’s 2012 ‘quality of care’ speech makes no sense four years on

It would take a doctor to save a life, but a miracle to save Jeremy Hunt’s reputation.

The less-than popular health secretary has upset a number of parties during his four years in his role- most recently junior doctors.

And despite months of debate, negotiations and even strikes, Mr Hunt is still missing the point.

In 2012, the culture minister’s job seemed to be hanging by a thread after 799 dodgy text messages between himself and Rupert Murdoch’s lobbyist emerged amid the BSkyB takeover scandal.

Yet in a switch-up more shocking than the new Top Gear hosts, he was promoted to the head of the Department of Health.

I’m no genius, but giving a man in his position the biggest, most unstable, in need of attention, rickety public-funded government organisation might not be the solution needed?

Well just weeks later on November 28, newly-promoted Mr Hunt delivered a speech on the quality of care at the Kings Fund.

He raised seven issues with the NHS that he felt would need to be addressed. So let’s look at them.

“1. The normalisation of cruelty”

Here he spoke about patients being ill-treated, being left to lie in their own “excrement” and the abuse of people in care.

He said: “In places that should be devoted to patients, where compassion should be uppermost, we find its very opposite: a coldness, resentment, indifference, even contempt.”

I’m sorry, but by cutting staff and privatising some of the most important areas of the NHS, it does not promote good will or compassion.

“2. Betrayal of the majority”

This is a shout out for all those going above and beyond the line of duty.

He said: “So many people represent NHS values at their finest. In every fibre of their body, they care as they’d wish to be cared for. And they are the ones most let down when we fail to tackle poor care head on.”

I’ll just leave that statement there.

“3. Why good care matters”

He stated: “The argument is clear: good care means healthier patients and stronger balance sheets — yet too often the message isn’t hitting home.”

You cannot keep up standards without resources and proper staffing.

In 2014, 19 per cent of people felt that they were not treated with dignity and respect.

While only 69% of people felt their room was “very clean” too.

Surely this is not “good” enough.

“4.Stronger accountability from managers”

He summaried how NHS bosses should have more “dignity and respect” for those being treated.

He says: “Yet too often managers have seen their priority as financial or clinical outputs.”

This is being said by a man who co-authored a book in 2005 calling for the NHS to be replaced by a privatised insurance system.

“5. Greater transparency”

Mr Hunt introduced the Friends and Family Tests, which has arguably been one of the NHS’ biggest successes in recent years.

Yet with 470 NHS organisations in the UK, a review system such as this surely wastes enough time, effort and money when there’s more pressing issues at hand.

“6. Better training”

“An incredibly powerful finding, which shows that a lack of staff support, ultimately impacts on patients’ survival chances.

“Staff in healthy organisational cultures, given the space to process the difficult emotions that caring throws up, will provide better, safer care.”

Again, does it need to be said? Peoples’ lives are at stake.

“7. Addressing the challenges”

Mr Hunt argues here that money does not equate to better care.

To a degree, he’s right. However, cutting supplies, resources and staff does affect it.

As of last year, the UK was in £1.56 trillion worth of debt.

In June, Mr Hunt announced another £200m cut in the public health budget.

How is this beneficial, or even proportionate?