Religiously clapping the NHS during lockdown may have resulted in ‘dangerous’ results as it was shielded from necessary criticism, according to the health ombudsman.
Rebecca Hilsenrath called for a revamping of the health service’s culture as she warned treating it like a ‘national religion’ could contribute to complacency and failure to reform where necessary.
The ombudsman’s office has submitted its report as evidence for an investigation of the NHS which is due to be published in September.
It also detailed a 50 per cent rise in complaints about the NHS to the ombudsman since Covid hit the UK.
New Health Secretary Wes Streeting ordered the investigation, led by Professor Lord Darzi, when he took up his new role after Labour‘s July election victory, as he declared the NHS is ‘broken’.