How Britain Loves the NHS: Practices of Care and Contestation

Stewart, E. (2023) How Britain Loves the NHS: Practices of Care and Contestation. Policy Press. ISBN 9781447368878

Abstract

What does it mean to love a healthcare system? It is often claimed that the UK population is unusually attached to its National Health Service and the last decade has seen increasingly visible displays of gratitude and love. Whilst social surveys of public attitudes measure how much Britain loves the NHS, this book mobilises new empirical research to ask how Britain love its NHS. The answer delves into a series of public practices – such as campaigning, donating and volunteering within NHS organisations – and investigates how attitudes to the NHS shape patient experience of healthcare. Stewart argues that these should be understood as practices of care for, and contestation about the future of, the healthcare system. This book offers a timely critique of both the potential, and the dysfunctions, of Britain’s complex love affair with the NHS.

• Item Type: Books
• Keywords: Britain, NHS, practices, care, contestation, healthcare system, public attitudes.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stewart, Professor Ellen
• Authors: Stewart, E.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences
• Publisher: Policy Press
• ISBN: 9781447368878