6 december 2012, block d

Sometimes the obscure is interesting, or so I'll take just a few words to convince that this applies to one of my more important lesser priority issues: data sharing. The good folk at the guardian were convinced, so I can finally add them to my mild-mannered national me-dia appearances, alongside radio 4 (30 april 2012), channel 4 (12 april 2011), the economist and of course the budapest sun. Sharing information is one of those behind the scenes things, like water pipes in a house, that enable water to flow uphill, or in this case not really flow, as these days there are so many rules and regulations around different organisations sharing intelligence on people that even where there's a will the way is tough. More usually the will is about protecting vulnerability and avoiding embarrassing publicity around lost data sticks, which doesn't help much when you're trying to get a health worker to do a little of the job of a probation officer checking the same person is alright, and perhaps throwing in a bit of what is done by other people in the realms of social work, police, benefits, skills and employment or housing. Yes having less people call round would be much cheaper and better for the individual, but dear me moving from theory to practice on this one is like moving mountains. But we'll keep trying I'm sure.