I was pleased to learn this week that the health secretary will be forced to face up to the real life, everyday implications of NHS bodies struggling to balance their books.
Hounslow Council should be congratulated for flagging up to Patricia Hewitt the potential impact of NHS cuts on young people with mental health problems in their area and pointing out just how difficult these local decisions can be.
Hounslow's problems are symptomatic of a far wider issue that has seen social care services cut - or thresholds to access them rise - up and down the country.
Whatever the reason for the current funding situation in the NHS, vulnerable people should not be the ones paying the price. And Ms Hewitt would do well to acknowledge that and do something about it.