The NHS has been part of our lives since 1948 and has become a national treasure to be protected at all costs.

So why do we look after it so poorly? Why has and it had to become a political football? Why does it only ever get bad press? All we hear about are negative stories: Junior Doctors strikes, Mid Staffs, waiting lists, cash bail outs etc, etc. Is the NHS facing the biggest challenge in its history? Does any other industry or sector receive such negative press and scrutiny?

I know from personal experience how brilliant the NHS is – it saved my life and provided me with the tools to improve my life. The people within the NHS provide exceptional patient care in the most difficult situations and go beyond the call of duty. There is no doubt the NHS faces huge challenges with population growth, people living longer and increased pressure on services. This is all against a backcloth of £20billion savings to be found with increasing yearly costs between 4-5% and budget increases of just 1% per annum.

The vast majority of Trusts across England will show a deficit and need to move back into profit in the next two years of their 5 year plans. There is a big drive for working collaboratively and driving efficiencies across the health care community whilst maintaining patient care. Does this sound familiar? We have seen this with so many industry sectors: coal, construction, steel, energy – and it’s the people who suffer. The mismanagement of industry continues to take place and we are reactive and not proactive in taking the appropriate steps in good time.

The NHS has been asked to collaborate with its neighbours in double quick time but we must start with the Politicians and their attitude to the NHS. We have to create the right environment and climate for the NHS to flourish – the NHS has the people and the culture in the front line staff. The NHS creates miracles every day through its people, but the NHS has been badly managed and it’s the Culture at the top that needs to improve. I am very supportive of collaboration in the NHS, but it has to be done right and not rushed, with everything in place and patients being our priority.

The staff within the NHS are some of the most heroic people I have met and care passionately about their patients under extreme pressures. Yes, the NHS needs to improve and the people accept that, but it needs to be given the tools and time to make it happen effectively. Reducing staff numbers and cutting costs is the easy way but the most ineffective – identifying efficiencies and increasing income, that’s the answer.

The NHS can become more effective and deliver exceptional patient care if we all work together in the right environment with no self-interest. If we want people to work collaboratively we need to create that community spirit where we all used to look out for each other. The patient has to be the priority, but we must look after the wellbeing of all the NHS employees, now that’s a price worth paying.

The NHS is probably the most admired healthcare system in the world, free at point of entry for everyone, no discrimination. So why do we treat it so badly? We all have a responsibility to take care of the NHS and nurse it back to good health.