Whilst I have very profound reservations about some of the proposed changes, I have to say that I was impressed by Dr. Streather’s honest and candid response to the questions I asked him. I didn’t like some of what I heard, but I at least he didn’t try and waffle and fudge the issue. If first impressions count for anything, I suspect that on balance Dr. Streather will be good news for local people – even if the message he brings won’t be.

That may sound like a contradiction, but frankly the major blame for this problem lies with the Government who have put huge amounts of our cash into the NHS, without ensuring that it was being used in an effective and efficient way. So I would rather have someone who actually cares about people implementing unpalatable change than a jobsworth bean counter who couldn’t give a damn about local people.

The follow up to this story will be what improvements to the NHS will the people of Erith & Thamesmead see. Watch this space…