The Fox of France - Chapter 256 (Patreon)

Chapter 256: Standards and the Chain of Interests

The English Medical Association was not the primary target of the Ministry of Truth. Therefore, as soon as they showed "remorse" and took practical actions, such as immediately issuing an appeal to all hospitals in England to align with The Lancet's standards, sending doctors to France for training, and hiring experienced French doctors as association directors, the Ministry of Truth no longer pursued their issues.

When President Edward proposed that the English Medical Association donate £10,000 annually to The Lancet to support scientific research and public outreach, and creatively introduced "The Lancet Certification," many in the Ministry of Truth felt that these individuals were practically part of their team.

The "Lancet Certification" first involved the certification of hospital environments and the qualifications of medical staff. Those hospitals with healthy environments, well-trained personnel, and outstanding treatment outcomes could, under their application, obtain different levels of certification from The Lancet.

Clearly, with The Lancet's newfound reputation, this certification would significantly boost the credibility of the hospitals that received it. Any hospital capable of donating money would undoubtedly strive to obtain The Lancet's certification mark. Hospitals with this certification would naturally align with The Lancet, or more explicitly, they would stand with the Ministry of Truth to protect their interests.

"In this way, the entire British medical community becomes ours. It's just as Joseph said, we have more of our people and fewer of the enemy's! Edward, you're a talent! Of course, Polina, you did a great job this time! So, tell me, what do you need as a reward?" Lucien asked proudly.

"What can you give me, whatever I want?" Polina inquired.

"As long as it's within my means."

"Very well," Polina said decisively, "give me Haidee."

"Polina," Lucien furrowed his brows, "you should spend more time with those young men and not dress as a man all day, competing with me for mistresses. Truly, I can't believe I have someone like you..."

"So, are you giving Haidee to me or not?" Polina raised an eyebrow.

"Haidee is not a possession; she's a free person with full autonomy. How can I..."

Polina suddenly put on a very gentlemanly smile, "So, you won't compete with me for Haidee? Well, that's enough. I don't believe this girl can escape my grasp."

"Alright, Polina!" Lucien said, "About that 'Lancet Certification,' do you have any other suggestions?"

"No, for this matter, you should ask Joseph. He has plenty of clever ideas. I'm busy!" Polina replied, walking towards the door. Midway, she suddenly turned around, looked at Lucien, and smiled, "Lucien, do you envy that I can dress as both a man and a woman? Well, if you're not satisfied, I'll give you a dress to try on..."

After driving away the mischief-maker Polina, Lucien had someone seek Joseph's opinion on the recent matter. In the afternoon, the messenger returned with Joseph's reply.

"Polina was right; Joseph does have many tricks up his sleeve!" Lucien exclaimed after reading the letter.

"The 'Lancet Certification' for hospitals can be divided into three major levels, with each major level further divided into three minor levels. This results in a total of nine levels. In addition, a top-level 'special' certification should be established above the first level of the third major level. This totals three major levels and ten minor levels.

As for the division and certification of levels, they can be determined based on the hospital's size, technical level, equipment level, management level, and research level (the latter is not required for first and second-level hospitals). Each aspect should be evaluated with a certain weight, and the certification standards must be made public for self-assessment by hospitals.

When developing the standards, the requirements for first and second-level hospitals can be relatively relaxed, as long as they ensure environmental hygiene and can handle common diseases. However, third-level hospitals, especially those of the first level and the special level, should have high standards and strict requirements. It's better to have no third-level special certification hospitals in the world and none in a single country than to allow third-level hospitals to be everywhere.

At regular intervals, The Lancet or relevant institutions should conduct audits for certification applications and already certified hospitals. Those meeting the standards will receive the relevant certification. The certification levels are not permanent.

Every year after the audit, The Lancet should publish a special supplement announcing the results to the public.

Additionally, similar measures can be implemented in France..."

"Joseph truly lives up to his reputation," Lucien said. He could see the bigger picture behind this plan. Once implemented, the entire UK, no, even all of Europe, would be tied to their medical system.

For a hospital that had painstakingly obtained "The Lancet Certification," this recognition became a precious intangible asset. Naturally, they would actively protect this asset, and any attack on France that could potentially threaten the value of this intangible asset would be viewed as an attack on them. Those initiating such an attack would become their enemies.

Once someone possesses an asset, they hope it appreciates. "The Lancet Certification" was no different; it was an asset, albeit an intangible one, and it could depreciate or appreciate. Those with this asset would undoubtedly want it to appreciate, so they would promote this honor, seize every opportunity to emphasize The Lancet's authority, and shout at anyone who dared to doubt it, saying, "Idiot! French medicine is the best in the world!"

"In addition to hospitals, we should also provide corresponding technical certifications for doctors, such as assistant doctors, resident doctors, attending physicians, associate chief physicians, and chief physicians. The number and proportion of doctors with the relevant qualifications in a hospital will also affect their score in 'The Lancet Hospital Level Certification,'" Joseph's plan continued.

Seeing this, Lucien couldn't help but exclaim, "This is so devious!"

This way, almost all doctors' interests would be tied to the Ministry of Truth. They would essentially become friends of the Ministry of Truth. Doctors had extensive connections with various strata of society. If this group leaned toward pro-French sentiments, they could influence more people to do the same. Their ranks would grow while their enemies would diminish.

"No wonder Menzies said, 'Those who possess the truth receive widespread support; those who oppose the truth receive very little support.' No wonder Joseph insisted on naming our department the Ministry of Truth. I think the campaigns we've conducted through propaganda are almost as significant as the victories Napoleon achieved on the battlefield," Lucien thought, patting himself on the back and self-awarding the title of "Grand Marshal."

"Unfortunately, that rascal Napoleon probably won't grant me the rank of 'Grand Marshal,'" Lucien shook his head and then picked up a piece of paper to draft a new document.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the storm caused by the latest issue of The Lancet was growing.

The newspapers under the English Free Press Alliance had been under attack by the English News League for a while, with various titles and labels continually being hurled at them. Gentler major newspapers referred to them as "friends of the French" or "English supporters of French theory." In more caustic, nationalist tabloids, they were called "traitors," "traitorous spies," or even "French agents." Rumors about them accepting French francs abounded.

However, the tables had turned entirely now. The media under the English Free Press Alliance began a comprehensive counterattack. Especially after scholars at Cambridge University confirmed that the content in The Lancet was verifiable, replicable, and discovered even more pathogenic bacteria, the entire situation had changed dramatically.

The more respectful newspapers had merely offered mild criticism, suggesting that the Tory party and their media needed to improve their scientific literacy and embrace the rigorous scientific attitude of scholars at Cambridge University. They praised Cambridge University's scholars for their scientific approach and dedication to truth. They also pointed out that the actions of Cambridge University's scholars had elevated England's scientific and civilizational level, making them the true patriots. As for those who blindly sang the praises of the areas where England was lacking without any reflection, they were merely tarnishing the sacred term "patriot."

The less principled tabloids, however, were less forgiving. They followed the lead of the major newspapers, labeling the Tories and the English News League as "patriotic rogues." Some propagated their prior conspiracy theories, claiming that the British government was using this method to "deal with people who had no more exploitation value." Some tabloids even announced, "Today's England isn't the England of the masses, but rather the 'Axis of Evil' composed of nobility and big businessmen!" In their subsequent reports, wherever the word "England" appeared, they replaced it with "the privileged country." A newspaper called "The English Liberation" even declared: "'The English Homeland' is a fraud because the working people have no homeland!"

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