By putting those who supported her campaign to become Prime Minister in all the major government ministerial positions of power, Liz Truss not only demonstrated her own insecurities and unsuitability for life at the top, but also clearly placed some of her best mates in entirely the wrong job. And before resigning herself, she mostly doubled down on those dodgy decisions until forced into humiliating U-turns. Kwasi Kwarteng, who for a couple of weeks appeared ideologically and fiscally joined at the hip to his bosom-buddy boss, was summarily cast into the political wilderness the night after proudly announcing on the news that he was “going nowhere!” Both he and Truss are now history but they stayed long enough to leave financial havoc in their wake. Another Truss chum, Thérèse Coffey – probably the former PM’s parliamentary “bezzie” – seemed an even stranger choice in the equally pivotal role of Health Secretary. As discussed in another survey Coffey is a smoker, which is not unlawful but not great PR for our top health policy maker. Partying photos indicate she also likes a drink. Nothing especially outrageous is reported, but the occasional glance at those “drink responsibly” Department of Health reminders might be worthwhile. Arguably more concerning are reports that Coffey’s “Plan for Patients” will allow pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription in an effort to reduce GP appointments. The proposal has sparked outrage in medical circles, particularly as Coffey, during a meeting with health officials, admitted to sharing prescription medicines with friends and family. Rachel Clarke, an NHS palliative care doctor, wrote on Twitter: “Doctors do not – unlike Coffey – dish out spare antibiotics to our family and friends because we’re painfully aware of the harms of antibiotic resistance. Utter recklessness.” Stephen Baker of Cambridge University, an expert in molecular microbiology and antimicrobial resistance, went further, describing such plans as “moronic.”

The NHS is an unprecedented mess, battling for survival. It needs a committed, listening and compassionate health secretary, someone who cares about the welfare and health of both patients and staff. The NHS faces the worst workforce crisis in its history, with 132,000 posts currently vacant, including those for more than 10,000 doctors and 47,000 nurses. Health Foundation figures show a shortage of about 4,200 full-time equivalent GPs, with that figure expected to double by the end of the decade. Yet Coffey vows she will tackle the NHS crisis by directing a “laser-like focus” on the needs of – patients. And as she sees it, the demise of the NHS over the past 12 years is down to… doctors. Tell that to the dedicated, overworked, underpaid, undervalued frontline staff, putting their own health on the line every day. They know people are dying in queueing ambulances, and that more than six million people are on hospital waiting lists. They know it all. They see it all. They need help. They don’t even expect those 40 imaginary hospitals promised by Boris Johnson need massive investment in the hospitals we have and in the people who operate them.