Insidious creep of the 'protection' discourse.

At a party of artists on Saturday night, I spoke to a man who looked very glum. He is the head of department in a higher ed institute, one which is well regarded around the world for its artistic and talented craft-makers.

Before he even knew my particular interest he was telling me about a recent trip he had arranged to take a group of his mature students to Wales to exhibit their work. The health and safety administrator insisted that he discover the medication that each of his students were on and what time of day they should take it. He also had to nominate a student to ask him the time and the tablets he takes so that they could make sure each one didn't forget when they went on their weekend away.

Absolutely true. Right here, right now, in London.

I asked him why he didn't tell the administrator where to stick his stupid idea. He replied: there are so many fiddly petty fogging things to do these days, just to get the trip organised, that he didn't want to upset anyone who could prevent him even going.

I think he then felt embarrassed at his powerless position, because he added 'I wouldn't have minded but I had to design the form as well, myself!'

He should have minded, shouldn't he. The students aren't babies and can take their own tablets, and he certainly didn't want any of them intruding into his own body's failings. Just what was the administrator going to do with the information? Lord only knows!

How come nervous administrators wield such an amount of power?

Does this qualify one or both or all of them (the head of department, the health and safety administrator, the nominated student) as a Modern Health Professional?