Marcus Baw
@marcusbaw.com
NHS General Hacktitioner GP, NHS IT, Software Dev
Everything Digital Health everythingdigitalhealth.com
RCPCH Digital Growth Charts https://growth.rcpch.ac.uk/
Freelance Health Tech and Discourse Forum syadmin https://bawmedical.co.uk/
Everything Digital Health everythingdigitalhealth.com
RCPCH Digital Growth Charts https://growth.rcpch.ac.uk/
Freelance Health Tech and Discourse Forum syadmin https://bawmedical.co.uk/
A quick read but one I would say is required reading in 2026:
@simonwillison.net's predictions for the future of AI programming:
simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/8/l...
I completely agree, and I think it'll drive down the costs of building software while driving up quality AND demand.
@simonwillison.net's predictions for the future of AI programming:
simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/8/l...
I completely agree, and I think it'll drive down the costs of building software while driving up quality AND demand.
January 9, 2026 at 11:03 AM
A quick read but one I would say is required reading in 2026:
@simonwillison.net's predictions for the future of AI programming:
simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/8/l...
I completely agree, and I think it'll drive down the costs of building software while driving up quality AND demand.
@simonwillison.net's predictions for the future of AI programming:
simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/8/l...
I completely agree, and I think it'll drive down the costs of building software while driving up quality AND demand.
Discourse as a Personal Journal
Here's my blog on why a self-hosted Discourse forum instance makes a great platform for a Personal Journal.
bawmedical.co.uk/t/discourse-...
Here's my blog on why a self-hosted Discourse forum instance makes a great platform for a Personal Journal.
bawmedical.co.uk/t/discourse-...
January 8, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Discourse as a Personal Journal
Here's my blog on why a self-hosted Discourse forum instance makes a great platform for a Personal Journal.
bawmedical.co.uk/t/discourse-...
Here's my blog on why a self-hosted Discourse forum instance makes a great platform for a Personal Journal.
bawmedical.co.uk/t/discourse-...
"AI boosts A&E EFFICIENCY", apparently - is this verifiable with any measure of efficiency that would be meaningful to affected patients, or any quality measure?
Or is it AI fluff being pumped out by a government that has nothing to offer the NHS apart from chaotic ICBs and a "10 Year Not A Plan"
Or is it AI fluff being pumped out by a government that has nothing to offer the NHS apart from chaotic ICBs and a "10 Year Not A Plan"
January 8, 2026 at 12:38 PM
"AI boosts A&E EFFICIENCY", apparently - is this verifiable with any measure of efficiency that would be meaningful to affected patients, or any quality measure?
Or is it AI fluff being pumped out by a government that has nothing to offer the NHS apart from chaotic ICBs and a "10 Year Not A Plan"
Or is it AI fluff being pumped out by a government that has nothing to offer the NHS apart from chaotic ICBs and a "10 Year Not A Plan"
The 10 Year Health Plan working group: data and technology mentions Federated Data Platform only once: to describe it as a 'learning point'.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6939ae...
Does this mean it's not now part of the 10 Year 'Vision'?
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6939ae...
Does this mean it's not now part of the 10 Year 'Vision'?
January 7, 2026 at 6:43 PM
The 10 Year Health Plan working group: data and technology mentions Federated Data Platform only once: to describe it as a 'learning point'.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6939ae...
Does this mean it's not now part of the 10 Year 'Vision'?
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6939ae...
Does this mean it's not now part of the 10 Year 'Vision'?
The authors of the paper conclude that Postmaster David Cameron's request to appeal should *not* have been blocked.
100% I agree - and further *when we have proprietary code that can result in someone's conviction then that code needs to be published in its entirety, as part of legal disclosure*.
100% I agree - and further *when we have proprietary code that can result in someone's conviction then that code needs to be published in its entirety, as part of legal disclosure*.
November 29, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The authors of the paper conclude that Postmaster David Cameron's request to appeal should *not* have been blocked.
100% I agree - and further *when we have proprietary code that can result in someone's conviction then that code needs to be published in its entirety, as part of legal disclosure*.
100% I agree - and further *when we have proprietary code that can result in someone's conviction then that code needs to be published in its entirety, as part of legal disclosure*.
Really interesting line in this report about one of the Post Office postmaster convictions:
"This code is proprietary"
"Misunderstanding Digital Computer Technology in Court:A Commentary on a Case Involving the Post Office Horizon System" by Peter Bernard Ladkin, Stephen Mason and Harold Thimbleby
"This code is proprietary"
"Misunderstanding Digital Computer Technology in Court:A Commentary on a Case Involving the Post Office Horizon System" by Peter Bernard Ladkin, Stephen Mason and Harold Thimbleby
November 29, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Really interesting line in this report about one of the Post Office postmaster convictions:
"This code is proprietary"
"Misunderstanding Digital Computer Technology in Court:A Commentary on a Case Involving the Post Office Horizon System" by Peter Bernard Ladkin, Stephen Mason and Harold Thimbleby
"This code is proprietary"
"Misunderstanding Digital Computer Technology in Court:A Commentary on a Case Involving the Post Office Horizon System" by Peter Bernard Ladkin, Stephen Mason and Harold Thimbleby
Yeah I wondered what might happen if they make it private or delete it, but then my reading of this is that the public forks remain public.
If this wasn't the case, it would spell HUGE problems for the open source world
If this wasn't the case, it would spell HUGE problems for the open source world
November 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Yeah I wondered what might happen if they make it private or delete it, but then my reading of this is that the public forks remain public.
If this wasn't the case, it would spell HUGE problems for the open source world
If this wasn't the case, it would spell HUGE problems for the open source world
Coincidentally I happened upon this excellent and insightful lament on the difficulty of digital preservation this week, heard through Cory Doctorow who's not on Bluesky but there is this:@pluralistic.net.web.brid.gy.
The Dairy Products Theory of Dead Media (2004)
bruces.medium.com/the-dairy-pr...
The Dairy Products Theory of Dead Media (2004)
bruces.medium.com/the-dairy-pr...
November 23, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Coincidentally I happened upon this excellent and insightful lament on the difficulty of digital preservation this week, heard through Cory Doctorow who's not on Bluesky but there is this:@pluralistic.net.web.brid.gy.
The Dairy Products Theory of Dead Media (2004)
bruces.medium.com/the-dairy-pr...
The Dairy Products Theory of Dead Media (2004)
bruces.medium.com/the-dairy-pr...
Had an alarming presentation from NHS England today - up till now their plans for the "All-New Electronic Red Book" were described in the #TenYearNotAPlan in two words (in two places):
"My Children"
+ sprinkling of buzzwords
including the word "AI" next to "new rash", which is fucking TERRIFYING.
"My Children"
+ sprinkling of buzzwords
including the word "AI" next to "new rash", which is fucking TERRIFYING.
November 20, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Had an alarming presentation from NHS England today - up till now their plans for the "All-New Electronic Red Book" were described in the #TenYearNotAPlan in two words (in two places):
"My Children"
+ sprinkling of buzzwords
including the word "AI" next to "new rash", which is fucking TERRIFYING.
"My Children"
+ sprinkling of buzzwords
including the word "AI" next to "new rash", which is fucking TERRIFYING.
To add context:
When one registers a Trademark anywhere in the world, it is published so that anyone with an objection can object if appropriate.
It's absolutely rife with opportunist fraud - when they publish your details numerous companies will send emails/mail demanding cash *FOR NOTHING*
When one registers a Trademark anywhere in the world, it is published so that anyone with an objection can object if appropriate.
It's absolutely rife with opportunist fraud - when they publish your details numerous companies will send emails/mail demanding cash *FOR NOTHING*
November 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
To add context:
When one registers a Trademark anywhere in the world, it is published so that anyone with an objection can object if appropriate.
It's absolutely rife with opportunist fraud - when they publish your details numerous companies will send emails/mail demanding cash *FOR NOTHING*
When one registers a Trademark anywhere in the world, it is published so that anyone with an objection can object if appropriate.
It's absolutely rife with opportunist fraud - when they publish your details numerous companies will send emails/mail demanding cash *FOR NOTHING*
Fucking pathetic.
Fraud is rife in the immediate purview of the UK's Intellectual Property Office and the best they can do when you report it TO THE GOVERNMENT is to ask *me the citizen* to report it AGAIN to Action Fraud.
*I don't work for you*, IPO.
Get on the case and put fraudsters in jail.
Fraud is rife in the immediate purview of the UK's Intellectual Property Office and the best they can do when you report it TO THE GOVERNMENT is to ask *me the citizen* to report it AGAIN to Action Fraud.
*I don't work for you*, IPO.
Get on the case and put fraudsters in jail.
November 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Fucking pathetic.
Fraud is rife in the immediate purview of the UK's Intellectual Property Office and the best they can do when you report it TO THE GOVERNMENT is to ask *me the citizen* to report it AGAIN to Action Fraud.
*I don't work for you*, IPO.
Get on the case and put fraudsters in jail.
Fraud is rife in the immediate purview of the UK's Intellectual Property Office and the best they can do when you report it TO THE GOVERNMENT is to ask *me the citizen* to report it AGAIN to Action Fraud.
*I don't work for you*, IPO.
Get on the case and put fraudsters in jail.
I can't help finding this amusing (NHSE website)
"The Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, can be found on The National Archives website"
(But don't worry - *THIS* 10 year plan will be completely enacted within the next 10 years....)
www.england.nhs.uk/long-term-pl...
"The Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, can be found on The National Archives website"
(But don't worry - *THIS* 10 year plan will be completely enacted within the next 10 years....)
www.england.nhs.uk/long-term-pl...
November 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I can't help finding this amusing (NHSE website)
"The Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, can be found on The National Archives website"
(But don't worry - *THIS* 10 year plan will be completely enacted within the next 10 years....)
www.england.nhs.uk/long-term-pl...
"The Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, can be found on The National Archives website"
(But don't worry - *THIS* 10 year plan will be completely enacted within the next 10 years....)
www.england.nhs.uk/long-term-pl...
Back home after another amazing Let's Talk Digital 2025 conference @letsdodigital.bsky.social - here are the slides from my session on open source clinical digital safety
pacharanero.github.io/2025-lets-ta...
!! No more DCB0129/0160 Word templates.
!! No more Excel spreadsheet Hazard logs.
pacharanero.github.io/2025-lets-ta...
!! No more DCB0129/0160 Word templates.
!! No more Excel spreadsheet Hazard logs.
October 25, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Back home after another amazing Let's Talk Digital 2025 conference @letsdodigital.bsky.social - here are the slides from my session on open source clinical digital safety
pacharanero.github.io/2025-lets-ta...
!! No more DCB0129/0160 Word templates.
!! No more Excel spreadsheet Hazard logs.
pacharanero.github.io/2025-lets-ta...
!! No more DCB0129/0160 Word templates.
!! No more Excel spreadsheet Hazard logs.
public.digital/pd-insights/...
Short, very clear, and absolutely correct blog post from Mike Bracken. With a very clear warning, too. We're already sliding towards a situation in which health data will be easy to misuse by the next (likely right wing proto-fascist) government.
Short, very clear, and absolutely correct blog post from Mike Bracken. With a very clear warning, too. We're already sliding towards a situation in which health data will be easy to misuse by the next (likely right wing proto-fascist) government.
September 18, 2025 at 2:59 PM
public.digital/pd-insights/...
Short, very clear, and absolutely correct blog post from Mike Bracken. With a very clear warning, too. We're already sliding towards a situation in which health data will be easy to misuse by the next (likely right wing proto-fascist) government.
Short, very clear, and absolutely correct blog post from Mike Bracken. With a very clear warning, too. We're already sliding towards a situation in which health data will be easy to misuse by the next (likely right wing proto-fascist) government.
I resigned from the AoMRC Digital Health Group shortly afterwards, because there's literally no point being the Chair of such a group if the Academy aren't going to consult the DHG on this kind of matter.
Here's my resignation letter, for the record:
Here's my resignation letter, for the record:
September 9, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I resigned from the AoMRC Digital Health Group shortly afterwards, because there's literally no point being the Chair of such a group if the Academy aren't going to consult the DHG on this kind of matter.
Here's my resignation letter, for the record:
Here's my resignation letter, for the record:
I'm a registered doctor in Ireland as well as UK (part of my post-Brexit hedging) and I just wanted to show UK doctors the difference in tone between the very lovely @medicalcouncilirl.bsky.social Council newsletter and the rather different feel of the GMC...
mailchi.mp/1c30b73e2b89...
mailchi.mp/1c30b73e2b89...
August 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I'm a registered doctor in Ireland as well as UK (part of my post-Brexit hedging) and I just wanted to show UK doctors the difference in tone between the very lovely @medicalcouncilirl.bsky.social Council newsletter and the rather different feel of the GMC...
mailchi.mp/1c30b73e2b89...
mailchi.mp/1c30b73e2b89...
I'm going to be running a #Discourse forum workshop at #EHRcon25 @openehr.bsky.social - helping our community to get the most out of their forum and getting vital feedback from users about what they need in their online community platform discourse.openehr.org
openehr.org/ehrcon25/
openehr.org/ehrcon25/
July 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I'm going to be running a #Discourse forum workshop at #EHRcon25 @openehr.bsky.social - helping our community to get the most out of their forum and getting vital feedback from users about what they need in their online community platform discourse.openehr.org
openehr.org/ehrcon25/
openehr.org/ehrcon25/
I'm sitting out Digital Health Summer School this year. The talk will all be about the #10YearNotPlan and the total paralysis of NHSE and ICBs because of #NHSRedisorganisation
Better instead to watch this response to @chionwurah.bsky.social 's excellent question:
"erm... well.... um..."
Better instead to watch this response to @chionwurah.bsky.social 's excellent question:
"erm... well.... um..."
July 17, 2025 at 10:33 AM
I'm sitting out Digital Health Summer School this year. The talk will all be about the #10YearNotPlan and the total paralysis of NHSE and ICBs because of #NHSRedisorganisation
Better instead to watch this response to @chionwurah.bsky.social 's excellent question:
"erm... well.... um..."
Better instead to watch this response to @chionwurah.bsky.social 's excellent question:
"erm... well.... um..."
The next paragraph states:
"By contrast, 15 years ago, the UK spent less on healthcare as a share of government expenditure and less per capita but public satisfaction with the NHS was at a
record high."
FROM THE SAME GRAPH we can see that this was RIGHT AFTER record Labour NHS spending.
"By contrast, 15 years ago, the UK spent less on healthcare as a share of government expenditure and less per capita but public satisfaction with the NHS was at a
record high."
FROM THE SAME GRAPH we can see that this was RIGHT AFTER record Labour NHS spending.
July 9, 2025 at 11:16 AM
The next paragraph states:
"By contrast, 15 years ago, the UK spent less on healthcare as a share of government expenditure and less per capita but public satisfaction with the NHS was at a
record high."
FROM THE SAME GRAPH we can see that this was RIGHT AFTER record Labour NHS spending.
"By contrast, 15 years ago, the UK spent less on healthcare as a share of government expenditure and less per capita but public satisfaction with the NHS was at a
record high."
FROM THE SAME GRAPH we can see that this was RIGHT AFTER record Labour NHS spending.
Can anyone explain how the NHS 10-Year Plan That's Not A Plan #nhsnotaplan can reconcile this King's Fund graph showing absolutely flatlined Tory NHS funding for the last decade with their assertion:
"Over the past decade, spending has grown"
(p130)
"Over the past decade, spending has grown"
(p130)
July 9, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Can anyone explain how the NHS 10-Year Plan That's Not A Plan #nhsnotaplan can reconcile this King's Fund graph showing absolutely flatlined Tory NHS funding for the last decade with their assertion:
"Over the past decade, spending has grown"
(p130)
"Over the past decade, spending has grown"
(p130)
@england.nhs.uk decided that its own Privacy Enhancing Technology was "not initially processing Personal
Identifiable Data" so didn't need a DPIA. Weak, weaselling out of their duty.
It's like saying a car doesn't need safety features if it's currently empty.
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/publ...
Identifiable Data" so didn't need a DPIA. Weak, weaselling out of their duty.
It's like saying a car doesn't need safety features if it's currently empty.
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/publ...
June 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
@england.nhs.uk decided that its own Privacy Enhancing Technology was "not initially processing Personal
Identifiable Data" so didn't need a DPIA. Weak, weaselling out of their duty.
It's like saying a car doesn't need safety features if it's currently empty.
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/publ...
Identifiable Data" so didn't need a DPIA. Weak, weaselling out of their duty.
It's like saying a car doesn't need safety features if it's currently empty.
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/publ...
"turst us with your persnonal dater"
April 21, 2025 at 10:58 PM
"turst us with your persnonal dater"
My response to being asked to contact a defunct organisation via a non-existent email address was fairly blunt.
I did ask them to escalate the issue and got a proper response later the same day. Thank you to whomever dealt with this.
I did ask them to escalate the issue and got a proper response later the same day. Thank you to whomever dealt with this.
April 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
My response to being asked to contact a defunct organisation via a non-existent email address was fairly blunt.
I did ask them to escalate the issue and got a proper response later the same day. Thank you to whomever dealt with this.
I did ask them to escalate the issue and got a proper response later the same day. Thank you to whomever dealt with this.
I didn't expect that they would not only pass the responsibility back to me as an ordinary citizen, but give me the email address of an organisation that was disbanded 4 years ago to do it with.
April 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I didn't expect that they would not only pass the responsibility back to me as an ordinary citizen, but give me the email address of an organisation that was disbanded 4 years ago to do it with.
So I reported the issue to GOV.UK via the feedback form
April 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM
So I reported the issue to GOV.UK via the feedback form