The former head of an NHS Trust speaks to us about his concerns over patient safety. OFSTED has found there is not enough strenuous physical activity in English schools. And why is the average British worker 40% less productive than the average American?
Storified by BBC Radio 4 Today · Wed, Feb 13 2013 23:28:50
0730
Gary Walker, the former chief executive of an NHS Trust, which is being investigated for persistently high death rates has broken the terms of a gagging order to speak for the first time about his concerns over patient safety. Mr Walker speaks to the Today programme's reporter Andrew Hosken.Listen to my interview on Today programme with NHS super gag breaker Gary Walker at 7.30 on #r4today
An #NHS manager speaks to @BBCr4today about claims he was gagged from speaking out over patient safety http://bbc.in/15ehhYQ #r4today
Thank you for highlighting the case of the NHS whistleblower. That scenario is instantly recognisable to anyone in the NHS. Non-emergency work has been prioritised, with considerable financial incentives to achieve those targets paid to managers and consultant staff. Those staff who attempt to question this on the grounds of patient safety are ignored, castigated or worse, as your story illustrates. Anon
0722
Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, outlines why more people are needed across the UK who are willing to foster children.
0713
An update on some breaking news about the South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius.
0709
Conservative MP Anne McIntosh explains that MPs are growing increasingly concerned over what the government is doing about the horsemeat scandal.
Traceability of imported processed foods should be as effective as that produced in UK: Commons #food cttee chair Ann McIntosh #r4today
Great spot by @AnneMcIntoshMP on #r4today. Talking about #horsemeat scandal and supporting #local
0630
A former NHS manager has broken the terms of his secret compromise agreement to speak to us about his concerns over patient safety which he claims led to his dismissal. We'll play the full interview at 0730.0615
Business news with Simon Jack. If you missed it, you can download the podcast here:
Today's running order
Subject to change
0615
Business news with Simon Jack. Announcements on a European financial transaction tax are expected later.
0709
Conservative MP Anne McIntosh explains that MPs are growing increasingly concerned over what the government is doing about the horsemeat scandal.
0713
Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, outlines why more people are needed across the UK who are willing to foster children.
0716
Business news with Simon Jack.
0720
The village of Arkholme in Lancashire is trying to raise £2m to provide broadband for their community. The BBC's technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones reports.
0731
Gary Walker, the former chief executive of an NHS Trust, which is being investigated for persistently high death rates has broken the terms of a gagging order to speak for the first time about his concerns over patient safety. Mr Walker speaks to the Today programme's reporter Andrew Hosken.
0738
The paper review.
0741
The book How to be an MP was the most borrowed book from the House of Commons library last year. Paul Flynn, Labour MP for Newport West, and Claire Perry, Conservative MP for the Devizes constituency and a member of the 2010 intake, discuss how helpful they found the book.
0747
Thought for the Day with Bishop Tom Butler.
0751
Ofsted's director of schools policy, Michael Cladingbowl, explains that the regulator has issued a report that says there is not enough strenuous, physical activity in many of England's school PE lessons. Baroness Sue Campbell, chair of the Youth Sport Trust, outlines what need to be done.
0810
A former NHS manager has broken the terms of his secret compromise agreement to speak out about his concerns over patient safety which he claims led to his dismissal. Former health secretary, Conservative MP Stephen Dorrell, discusses whether there is a climate of fear inside the NHS.
0816
It is two years since protesters occupied the Pearl roundabout in the centre of the capital of Bahrain, Manama, and there are reports this morning that a teenage protester has been shot dead in Bahrain. Frank Gardner, the BBC's security correspondent outlines the current political state in the country.
0819
The BBC's arts correspondent Rebecca Jones reports that the National Theatre's team that created War Horse are reuniting with a version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, in Bristol.
0829
Stephanie Flanders, the BBC’s economics editor, and Kate Barker, former member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, analyse the Office for National Statistics’ findings that the average British worker is nearly 40% less productive than their US counterpart,
0836
Dozens of farmers are on the verge of becoming millionaires on the back of plans for a multi-billion pound Potash mine to be built in North Yorkshire. The BBC’s Louise Jackson examines why some are saying that the plans will damage tourism in the region.
0840
Business news with Simon Jack.
0843
Research shows that one in four cricket players who leave the sport are likely to suffer depression and one in five army veterans will experience mental health problems. Josh Lewsey, a former England rugby international who now works at Citibank, and Jake Wood, a former banker who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, reflect on their own experiences.
0849
BBC Radio 4’s The Report has found that the last Labour government may have had information that could have stopped the blacklisting of thousands of construction workers. The Report presenter Simon Cox, outlines the programme's finding.
Good morning
We'll post today's provisional running order shortly.
