Happy trade unions, a fuming private sector, bewildered taxpayers, patients who are still waiting, and—almost certainly—an inquiry by the National Audit Office.

That was the outcome of health secretary Alan Johnson's announcement last week that only three more schemes are definitely going ahead from the second wave of contracts for diagnostic services and new independent sector treatment centres in England.

Mr Johnson's written statement dealt merely with the 16 contracts still extant from a negotiation that has been going on for three years now. Six other schemes were cancelled. Seven remain under procurement—although the health department says that there is “no guarantee” they will go ahead, despite giving private assurances to …