Should We Stop Treating the NHS Like a Religion? | Loose Women

The Health Ombudsman has called for a revamp to the NHS due to fears that treating the health service like a ‘national religion’ is contributing to complacency and a failure to reform the service where necessary. Is it time to stop treating the NHS like a religion? Ruth believes that we’re lucky to have such a service, however it is taken for granted and there is a lot of mismanagement, whereas Kelly worries the NHS is no longer fit for purpose.

From series 27, broadcast on 19/08/24

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[chiedu]

Reform the NHS - but don't lose it! I'm an American and our health care system is horrendous. Absolutely horrendous. We have the same kind of inefficiencies - but we pay a fortune.

[John_Bradbury]

There are cases of incompetence, negligence and misconduct by doctors and nurses so they should not be put on a pedestal.

[russellben]

The NHS is one of the only reasons I am still living in this country BUT when Covid was happening my dad was in hospital and they failed him miserably and he ended up dying within 6 weeks so I now have no respect for them anymore!

[katiepaterson]

Inpatient treatment definitely good. But outpatient is needing the funds and improvements 😢😢

[DannyBoy]

I work in NHS & 10000% agree with Kelly!!!

[bevturner]

I think it’s fair to say that most doctors and nurses are hard working and dedicated and this was particularly true during the pandemic.
I think the fault lies not with NHS staff, but with management and administration.
The Lucy Letby case highlighted the disconnect between staff and management.
Hospital bosses failed to investigate allegations against Letby and tried to silence doctors.
Reputation was put ahead of patient care and safety.
The results of the independent investigation currently underway will shed more light on what is actually going wrong within the NHS.

[janicerobson]

Their to many chief at the top 1:14, need to get rid and bring back the ward sister for each ward that is in charge for their ward keeping clean tidy, good food for the patient and keep Docter on call when ever needed

[AaronAtkins.]

As a nurse we didnt think twice about putting ourselves at the frontline when Covid hit. We lost alot of our nurses, medics etc.
Our priority has always been our patients. The support we received with the clapping, we did not expect it. However it moved us deeply and we felt supported through such a difficult time. I could not see my son for 12 weeks as my mum had cancer and my son would stay with her and my dad whilst i was at work. Could not see him as would be risk of him carrying covid back to my mother from me. My beautiful mum passed away 2 years ago and when i look back im emotional when i think about the way i was supported by Family, friends, colleagues and the public. You will never know how grateful we are. When i reflect, those positive moments where people came together in all areas of life really comfort me.

[sallygarrington]

I' m a Nurse being called an angel is an insult .

[OliverKitkat]

Too many chiefs getting paid mega money at the top

[Northernperfection]

No because the government dont care clearly. Say what you want about the NHS but its literally the heartbeat of the country and without it we would be lost as a whole. Treat it as a religion do whatever to save our health service from breaking down

[Lynne_Heal]

Since 2009 I have lived with a GP telling me that I can die any day .Leicester NHS destroyed my MRI notes .I worked many years for our NHS and when I resigned they wanted me back because the couldn't cope without out me .Now I need help no one will help me.

[upendasana]

There are many issues with NHS structires and protocol which make it as hard for the staff that work in it on the ground as it does for the patients.The PFI contrats which they alluded to about being tied into expensive contracts that waste moeny and precurment and use of agencies which rip off NHS and social are but are often used due to lack of staff, sickness and just general lack of retainment therefore reliance on these agency staff which means less safety and organisation on wards.
Yes there are structural issues, need for much earlier interventions and preventative healthcare measures, easy access for testing and other procedures without having to always be refrred by GP.
There are also 100.000 understaffing in NHS roles so there again you immediate have stress on staff therefore illness and generally low moral.
The NHS does need modernising and needs better communication, more supervision so staff can shareconcerns and feedback and not just hierarchy where staff never get listened to depsite working on wards everyday and seeing what the issues are so top down management who do not listen to staff on the ground is a problem.
Yes there are also some dovtors and nurses who are not always competent or the best but having proper strcutires in place and supervision etc mitiagtes these risks plus not relying so much on agency and having happy staff teams that are listened to.All of this would go to make the NHS a much better functioning system.

[MsBlue]

Bad management? Yes but also the lack of government funding has been a key factor in eroded NHS services. Then they say the NHS doesn't work. Well if you defund the service, of course it isn't going to work as well.

[ericsynchrona]

She meant Reproach. But she's probably afraid of bugs.

[sallygarrington]

Early 90s Trust status, white paper trying to run it like a business.

[macsmiffy]

I think some behave god-like where they think they have total control of our bodies, if that’s what you mean. We shouldn’t be afraid to challenge them, but we should be assertive, not aggressive.

[carie]

NHS too top heavy with managers many of them incapable.

[sallygarrington]

If want vocational angels don't expect them to pay a mortgage

[aaronmail]

Too many people in the country that it's that simple