Jeremy Hunt was owned by Ralf Little on mental health and it’s a joy from start to finish
22.
(22) The good news is, now that you – and Twitter – know that this statistic is total bullshit, you won’t feel the need to use it again.
On to your final claim…
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
23.
(23) “2700 more employed in talking therapies.”
Well, I think you’re wrong, which might not surprise you.
But what might be a surprise is, I have some good news for you…
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
24.
(24) In actual fact I think the stats are BETTER for your case than you have stated…
As far as I can tell it’s actually closer to 3000 more in talking therapies – an INCREASE on the 2700 you claimed.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
25.
(25) As you can see, I’m more interested in transparent discussion than mud-slinging, and happy to concede where appropriate, as in this case.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
26.
(26) So… now to address your original challenge of finding a European country doing “better” and “faster”…
Well, given what we’ve learned about those numbers you quoted, it’s hard now to find a single metric for what is defined as “better”.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
27.
(27) But what I CAN say, based on the real (not “alternative”) facts is the following…
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
28.
(28) We have far fewer doctors, nurses and beds per mental health patient than 2010, so have in fact gone backwards in that regard.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
29.
(29) Even IF the workforce has risen as you say, it is not unreasonable to attribute this to the IAPT programme which started in 2008 – under the previous government.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
30.
(30) However, most other staff groups have fallen, and nurses more than any other.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
31.
(31) So to answer you succinctly, it may be difficult to categorically state we are doing “better” than other European countries, but it’s pretty straightforward to say that we are doing considerably WORSE than we were in 2010.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
32.
(32) I hope this meets the challenge you issued to me.
Now it’s my turn to issue a challenge in return.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
33.
(33) As I’ve demonstrated, you have a real problem with cherrypicking statistics to suit your needs. This may be acceptable in other jobs, but this is medicine, this is the NHS… this is SCIENCE.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
34.
(34) Indeed when the world’s smartest scientist Stephen Hawking himself called you out on this science, you were happy to claim your superior knowledge… of science, to the world’s smartest scientist!… so I’m sure you’ll happily do the same to me.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
35.
(35) But the fact remains that cherrypicking statistics is manipulative and damaging to public office, and to the health service. And I’m afraid the science – and the scientists – back me up, no matter how much and how loudly you protest.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
36.
(36) So here’s my challenge…
I note you invited Prof. Hawking to meet and discuss these matters, and you repeatedly point out on twitter that he hasn’t yet agreed to.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
37.
(37) Well, whilst I don’t pretend to possess even a fraction of his intellect, might I take up the offer?
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
38.
(38) I suggest you and I sit down in real time, broadcasting live online, in the presence of fact checkers and medical professionals. Not about antagonism, but simply to reassure the public that your intention is to protect the NHS – free at the point of use.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
39.
(39) Because, Mr. Hunt, no matter what you’ve said, I have to tell you, at this point pretty much no one believes that you don’t want to privatise it, either openly or on the quiet.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
40.
(40) And even if your intention IS to privatise it, let’s be honest about it, so the public can vote fairly and with all the facts. The NHS belongs to them.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
41.
(41) So let’s not call each other names – if you’re the decent sort you say you are, and often appear to be on twitter, let’s have an open conversation and some transparency on the future of everyone’s healthcare.
The British public deserve it.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
42.
(42) Do the decent thing. I triple dare you.
<end of thread>
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
Here’s a taste of how people responded.
If you do one thing on Twitter this week, please read this thread about the NHS by @ralflittle, which is a direct response to Jeremy Hunt. Please also retweet so more people can see it – we need more of this evidence based analysis to combat the mistruths https://t.co/JJWuiW79R1
— NHS Million (@NHSMillion) November 14, 2017
As I sit in a crowded waiting room at UCLH with some absolutely knackered staff who have been on shift almost 18 hours, I say 💯🙌🏼🙌🏼 @RalfLittle https://t.co/S4Vd12Efo6
— Stéphanie McKay (@Stephsimone) November 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/DancingTheMind/status/930399725827784705
And finally, another word from Ralf Little. Looks like there’s going to be a second series.
https://twitter.com/RalfLittle/status/931313326969294849
Still no word from Jeremy Hunt though.
READ MORE
News presenters have started saying ‘Jeremy C*nt’ as if it’s actually his real name