Did you hear about the consultant this week who set off for work only to be stopped by the police and told to abandon his journey because the road was closed due to adverse weather conditions?

“I don’t care if you are a doctor sir - the road is closed!” So the law abiding doctor did just that, and was then told by his trust that unless he agreed to repay the time lost his absence would be dealt with by higher authority!

Other stories of NHS staff fighting their way to work during recent days (and some staying nights on end to maintain patient care) quite rightly hit the headlines and deservedly so. The NHS is magnificent when the chips are down. That is what professionalism is all about - genuinely putting the care of patients above self-interest and preservation.  

I wish the same could be true of those not directly providing care but charged with supporting those who do. The next few months will test this to the full.

The New Year has already seen too many trusts signaling financial failure and implementing panic measures. Desperate times may call for desperate measures but unlike the consultant stuck in his car, accountants have many roads to travel. But the road to patient care lies with healthcare professionals and they deserve to be treated better than this!