Editor—Neuberger compares the NHS with a theological institution.1 However, a minister of religion draws on an abundant and freely and universally available source of love, morality, and strength. This abundance is celebrated every week in churches up and down the country and contrasts with the scarcity and poverty of earthly existence. God is not rationed.
As a doctor who is a Christian working in a secular organisation I have to deal with problems of earthly scarcity. The British public may believe that the NHS is the best health service in the world but this is a sign of ignorance of the wider world rather than of British brilliance. It is worth noting that very few countries follow our model of providing health care, and few of the rich neighbouring countries choose to spend as little on health as we do.
Today's doctor is no minister. To some extent we can give people solace as well as medicine. However, we cannot offer the best earthly cures to our patients. The service is rationed at all points as everyone knows.
As a doctor I have to work within a system in which the lack of resources severely hampers the efforts of doctors to practice good medicine for their patients. It is a system that leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment. The lawyers are profiting from this system with the result that scarcity in the NHS is becoming even worse.
Politically, the NHS is a sacred cow. Any threat to it is dealt with by finding scapegoats, such as underperforming doctors or “the forces of conservatism.” Voices of compassionate sanity, such as Lord Winston,2 are criticised vituperatively by the government.
The time has come for a radical and heretical look to be taken at the NHS. Is the present system really the best for our country? Can we as doctors really develop to our potential if the country refuses to invest in the practice of medicine? Can we deliver the standards that patients demand without investing in facilities and training for all health workers? I still retain some belief in the possibility of progress although it is more from hope than experience.
However, I hope no one is so deluded that they believe that any form of medicine can be a substitute for religious faith. Even a better, modernised NHS will only postpone the need to face up to the great questions of religious faith and purpose.
References
- 1.Neuberger J. The NHS as a theological institution. BMJ. 1999;319:1588–1589. doi: 10.1136/bmj.319.7225.1588. . (18-25 December.) [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Riddell M. The NS interview: Robert Winston. New Statesman 2000 Jan 17:14-5.