Healthcare as a Democratic Investment
Do challenges facing the NHS create fertile ground for populist movements?
Can improving healthcare delivery help the health of our democracy as well as our citizens?
The Cycle Of Discontent
When people experience declining healthcare—longer waiting times, staff shortages, difficulty seeing GPs or accessing A&E, their trust in the NHS and government erodes. This creates perfect conditions for populist movements that position themselves against a "failed establishment." Healthcare failures provide compelling evidence for narratives that governments are either incompetent or indifferent to ordinary people's needs.
How NHS Challenges Feed Populist Narratives
The NHS crisis fuels populist messaging through:
Visible inequality - when those who can afford it can access private healthcare while others experience long waits for publicly-funded services, it reinforces populist narratives about a "rigged system"
Tangible decline - healthcare experiences are personal and immediate. When someone cannot get a timely appointment, no government statistics can override that lived experience
Immigration tensions - populist movements often frame immigration as overwhelming public services - a narrative that gains traction when people already struggle to access care
Breaking The Cycle
Improving healthcare delivery is about more than the service itself:
Visible improvements - changes must be tangible to patients, not just reflected in statistics. Reducing waiting times and improving access would help people believe that the NHS can adapt to the times we are in and that government can make things work better
Transparency and accountability - being honest about challenges while demonstrating clear plans for improvement can help rebuild trust
Addressing inequality - ensuring that high quality care is accessible to all, regardless of wealth or location, undermines any arguments that the "system is rigged"
Technology as a solution – using digital technology to improve access, data-driven resource allocation and prediction, and automation of administrative tasks can transform patient experience. When people experience a modern, responsive healthcare system, populist criticisms lose their appeal.
Consider how telemedicine and digital appointment systems reduce the perception of resource scarcity, or how technology can allow healthcare professionals to focus on those with the greatest need. Transparent performance tracking through digital dashboards can build public trust, while patient empowerment tools reduce pressure on overloaded systems.
Healthcare as Democratic Investment
Improving the NHS should therefore be understood not just as a public health priority but as an investment in democratic resilience. By delivering high quality healthcare that meets people’s expectations, we can help restore faith in public institutions and centrist governments.
If we want to offer alternatives to populism, fixing the NHS isn't just important—it's essential.