Philosophical Question

Why is the NHS so revered and respected in the UK when compared to the state education system? I would argue they both have similarly mediocre quality of outcomes when measured against international standards. They are both similarly victim to relative underfunding. Why is one so much more cherished than the other?

 

Moreso the fire service. For some reason the media hates teachers and firefighters

 

Yeah, fair, another good example. I wouldn't say firefighters are hated but consensus is way more "meh" than it is to the NHS.

 

I suppose is the emotive element to the NHS innit - you are using the service with the people that matter the most to you and at times of criticality. You're either witnessing it's employees bring your pride and joy on to the earth, helping your loved ones get better or supporting you/them when they leave us.

Schools is easy to dismiss because 95% of people only engage with the system for 10/15% of their lives. And from afar it's easy to slam it when you see 'the younger generation' being different to the one you're part of/romanticise.

 

Education is advancing all the time. More and more people never leave their homes now. The world is becoming more and more virtual all the time. Video games, porn, home gyms, online shopping, Just Eat, education. All at your fingertips.

 

For the first 18 years, you've got very little choice. You go to the school where you parents send you and maybe only get to choose at 16 if you need to go to a different place for A Levels (Barnsley instead of local sixth form for example).

Education only then becomes a factor when you are choosing for your kids - and most schools are much of a muchness.

 

The NHS is free at the point of use, which many equivalent systems in other countries can't claim.

The state education system is free at the point of use, but pretty much every other country can say the same thing.

The distinction is the availability of an equivalent comparative in another country. There are very few which are directly comparable to the NHS, at least in terms of making a similar comparison to state education.

 

Healthcare is the backbone of society. In terms of revering it, the state of the NHS isn't really a consideration, it's the idea and principle that healthcare for all should be free. There have been and still are many folk contributing to society and back in work thanks to the NHS that would never have been able to afford the treatment if the NHS operated like an American style system etc. Even its current, dilapidated and congested form it still gives back hope to many who have been treated.

In terms of it's cherishment Vs our education system, I'd say it's probably to do with the fact that everyone at some point in their lives will need to look to the NHS for themselves or their loved ones where as education is only relevant during childhood (and as kids we don't think about funding etc)
It only becomes relevant again if you become a parent and then you become vocal about the underfunding but ultimately you have the ability to teach your kids the bits they miss in schools if you care enough/have the time whereas fixing a tumour is not possible.

 

It saved my wifes life. Hopefully that qualifies as sufficient reason for me to hold it in high regard.

 

I have reason to thank the NHS for saving the lives of both my sons and me. That’s more than enough for me to revere it.

 

The beauty of genius……….able to debate so eloquently and succinctly, yet start another post with “Miinge”. Diversity at its finest, sir Masterstroke!!!

 

I get more engagement when I post about fannies.

 

Media whore!

 

Plenty to pick from on here. .
Shurrup Jud.

 

I have spent the last decade heavily reliant on the NHS with the ongoing disabilities of my children and a diagnosis of Bipolar for my wife.

In that time I have seen the decline in the level of service drop starkly.
Still I feel grateful we have it rather than not and I would rather apportion the blame to political mis management than any other contribution.
The people in the NHS are largely fantastic, patient caring human beings who truly want to help people.
I think a large problem is that to be a well run entity the NHS needs a long term plan, not changing governments and prime ministers every few years.

 

Tax. The. Wealth.

How much money does a man, or woman, need?