Seven-day NHS
Tim Harford asks if people admitted to hospital at weekends are more likely to die. He looks back on the life of mathematician John Nash and asks how we measure productivity.
This week:
Seven Day NHS.
As a commitment appears in the Queen's Speech to introduce a 'truly seven day-a-week NHS' we look at David Cameron's assertion that mortality rates are 16% higher for people admitted on a Sunday over those admitted on a Wednesday. And is seven day working really about saving lives.
John Nash
The mathematician and scientist, Nobel Laureate and subject of the film a beautiful mind was killed in car accident earlier this month. We look at why he was so important to game theory.
Productivity?
We're told we have a productivity problem in the UK. What is it, how is it measured and why is it so low in the UK compared to other economies. We get an economist to explain the answers to a listener.
What is a generation?
A loyal listener has asked how you measure a generation. We ask a sociologist and a demographer.
Animal Slaughter
How many animals are killed each day for food? One claim suggested it was half a billion worldwide, which sounds like a lot to us. Are we really pigging out to such an extent? Are we all so hungry we could all eat a horse? Or is this just a load of bull?
Podcast
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More or Less: Behind the Stats
Tim Harford investigates numbers in the news: are they always reliable?
