The Global Health Partnerships report by Lord Crisp,1 commissioned by the prime minister, aims to find ways to strengthen the United Kingdom's contribution to health care in developing countries. The report acknowledges the UK's “remarkable intellectual and practical leadership in international development” and recommends that the UK facilitate and support the “very valuable work already being done by so many UK organisations and individuals.” The report goes on to describe the potential benefits of such activities both to developing countries and to the individuals involved. All people who have experience of the research, teaching, emergency support, and many other activities that UK health workers undertake in support of developing countries would concur.

Warm words are welcome, especially when backed up by practical measures. Lord Crisp makes excellent recommendations for new departures, ranging from explicit ministerial support for National Health Service staff to spend time working in developing countries, to making it easier for aid workers to maintain NHS pension contributions. However, …