Rebecca Hilsenrath, the health service ombudsman, raised concerns that clapping for the NHS during the pandemic may have had 'dangerous' implications, equating the NHS to a 'national religion', which undermines the importance of constructive criticism.
In her commentary for The Sunday Telegraph, Hilsenrath stated, 'I don't think that it is helpful for any organisation to be treated as religion.' This perspective emphasizes the need for accountability upholding the standards of service.
The ombudsman noted a significant increase in complaints about the health service, revealing that over 27,000 complaints were received in 2023/24, a stark contrast to under 18,000 a decade ago.
Hilsenrath reflects, 'Deification and hatred are both profoundly unhelpful' regarding societal attitudes towards the NHS, which should remain subjected to scrutiny and improvement.
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