Today is the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service. There is very little to celebrate. Waiting lists are at record highs: 7.4 million waiting in England, and counting. Practically every international comparison ranks the NHS as mediocre to poor on outcomes. Well-above average funding is being funnelled into the health service, yet it doesn’t seem to be making its way to staff salaries or to the frontlines for additional care.
What’s worse, all these criticisms applied to the health service before the pandemic hit. The further deterioration of services since Covid is bringing to light all of its current – and previous – failings, as people increasingly ask if the system is fit for purpose.
The NHS’s most avid supporters are running out of explanations – and excuses – for its poor service. No one seriously claims anymore that the NHS is the ‘envy of the world.’ Certainly no international ranking says so.
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