Going back to basics

I was at the Royal College of Physicians today, for a department of health meeting about how the country's health and social care services move forward from the Publication of the Francis report.

I thought this picture of a pot that was used to house leeches between applications to patients was a good metaphor for summing up the feeling of those seeking to change organisations. Leeches are back in fashion, used in cutting edge surgery and the subsequent wounds, fit for modern health care. Compassion and care in our services do need to function in a modern system, but can draw on basics from the past. There is still room for Florence and her ideas!