Published by The Times (30th April, 2024) There is a valid debate to be had over disability benefits after a sudden surge in claimants with anxiety and depression. […]
Inside Britain’s psychiatric nightmare
Published by UnHerd (2nd August, 2022) There were still grim Victorian-era asylums dotted around Britain when Penelope Campling started out as a young psychiatrist almost 40 years ago. […]
A refreshing prescription for the NHS – and for politics
Published by The i paper (16th May, 2022) Jeremy Hunt does not hide his ambition, admitting that he does not rule out another tilt at the top job […]
Another death, this time a friend’s son, highlights the need for an urgent review of psychiatric services
Published by The i paper (2nd May, 2022) More than three decades ago I joined The Sunday Times in the wake of the Wapping dispute, which broke the stranglehold of […]
Who should decide when we die?
Published by The i paper (28th September, 2020) Yew Trees was called a hospital but sounds more like hell. It was supposed to be a sanctuary for women […]
A grave threat to vulnerable people
Published by The i paper (23rd March, 2020) Six years ago I landed in Liberia. My temperature was taken after leaving the plane, then I walked through an […]
A progressive cesspit
Published by The Mail on Sunday (2nd February, 2020) Gilles Desaulniers moved to San Francisco 40 years ago, settling in the ‘friendly, quaint and affordable’ city after running […]
Why are we locking up patients for profit?
Published by UnHerd (15th January, 2020) Claire Greaves was a young woman with anorexia and a personality disorder. She spoke candidly and courageously to broadcasters about her struggles; on […]
NHS for sale? Too late for many mental health services
Published by The i paper (2nd December, 2019) For much of the time it has seemed only two issues are at stake in this depressing election campaign. The […]
Our prisons are a national disgrace
Published by UnHerd (2nd December, 2019) In 1773, a wealthy businessman named John Howard, appointed High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, was distressed to discover the barbaric treatment of inmates […]