Standard work is a characteristic of Toyota, that make one thing – cars. That might be applicable to health where the process is standardised.
However, how does this fit in with the reality of care where the variety is very wide as each person has what matters to them. And the reality of much of care itself is complex and if we looked at the workflow that would take, it would be unique to that person?

I do not disagree with you John – but – for reasons of error reduction, improvement, innovation, Patient Safety and productivity even a LHS, standard work is absolutely necessary in the NHS. The format and strict compliance to that standard work must be the subject of some debate and careful design by experts in the field. What is needed is someone to stand up and say let’s try this. The WHO have had a go! See High 5.