When you read Propositions pour la maitrise de l’ondam 2013-2017, the document from the Inspectors General of Finance and Social Affairs on how France can cut healthcare costs whilst improving services, one is struck by the fact that these guys know what they are talking about. That is very unusual when it comes to governments and healthcare.

At 93 pages this is a lightweight document by healthcare policymaker standards, but its contents are anything but light weight. The managers who wrote it set out precisely in 32 items – line-by-line – where they expect to make savings.  For instance, they reckon that doing chemotherapy at home will save €430m.

With the exception of the Netherlands and Turkey, we don’t know of any other country where those who are supposed to be in power could assemble and agree on such a detailed, actionable document. And that in itself is an edictment of government in healthcare.

The document is not revolutionary but it does set out a clear reform path. And the fact that one of the measures countenanced is not replacing half the staff who leave public sector hospitals over the next five years (saving €1.9bn) is an indication of just how over-staffed the sector is.

Whether the French government will follow it is another matter entirely. But, if it has any sense, it will.