All quiet on the NHS front

The election manifesto launches of the last two days have seen health-related pronouncements falling from the sky like rain. But The Miner can't help but notice a distinct lack of noise from the NHS itself.

This isn't a co-incidence. Between the launch of the election and May 6 itself, NHS trusts in Notts and elsewhere have been told not to do anything that could be seen as favouring any of the political parties.

So that means no press releases announcing spending plans or new services - and minimal response when pushed on stories concerning their activities.

Most trusts are staying away from anything remotely political, though the Nottingham NHS Treatment Centre at the QMC, presumably not restrained by such guidelines, welcomed Tory shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley with open arms last week.