NHS. Our Sick Sacred Cow

The NHS has become a sacred cow; a corporation so valuable, many think it above criticism. The NHS provides an invaluable public service.It is sad, therefore, that the NHS and UK medical practices are together failing to provide millions of patients with the care they need. Why? Many causes are identifiable. To reverse them, so that it can continue its valuable work, we need to make many fundamental changes. The experience and judgement of doctors and nurses no longer have the influence they once did. Medical practice has gradually lost its sacrosanct sovereign role in favour of the precedence and control of clinically unqualified bureaucrats. Medical bureaucracy is no longer content with housekeeping. Its decisions now impact patients in the clinical arena. The result has been that many doctors and nurses have become dispirited, demoralised and discontented. In considerable numbers, they are leaving the UK medical profession or emigrating. Fundamental changes are required if we are to cure our sick sacred cow and preserve its future. The many suggestions made here to cure our sick sacred cow will doubtless be resisted by an NHS corporation intent on expanding its bureaucratic workforce and strengthening its controlling influence over dedicated healthcare workers. There are better ways forward.