Current challenges for the NHS

A critical exploration of how contemporary issues and challenges are making an impact on healthcare and service delivery

Published on December 1, 2021

The NHS was already facing the worst crisis since its creation, consistently missing targets and carrying a budget deficit of £2bn1. Then Covid-19 emerged, causing the biggest change to healthcare in NHS history, through cancellation and postponement across a wide range of services2.

The impact of Covid-19 may be worsened by pre-existing issues affecting the delivery of NHS services, such as an ageing population and obesity. An ageing population puts strain on the younger generation of NHS workers because as the share of the working-age population decreases, the share of the population requiring care increases3. This is worsened by the growing challenge of obesity.

Obesity is predominantly caused by worsening eating habits and lack of exercise, two behaviours that tend to increase as an individual ages4. It is important to analyse current contemporary issues so it is...

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