As the NHS celebrates its 75th anniversary, Barnardo’s reflects on the huge difference our health system has made to the lives of the millions of children and young people who have benefitted from its care over the years.
The NHS, and the other care providers it works in conjunction with, respond to the demands from the society around it, which evolve and change over time. That’s why Barnardo’s works closely with the NHS to ensure that timely and effective healthcare is available for children, young people and families who need it. This includes mental health services, help in A&E, and supporting parents and carers through the early years of their children’s lives.
Here, we share our thoughts on the highs, the challenges, and the future may hold for our NHS friends:
Amie Dobinson, Assistant Director for Business Development in Health
Dr Amina al-Yassin, Sessional GP for Barnardo’s specialising in mental health
Donna Ryan, Strategic Programme Lead for Mental Health
What do you love about the NHS?
For me, it’s the people who make the NHS so unique and special. Even under the most difficult of circumstances, their care, passion and dedication are evident.
Amie Dobinson
Assistant Director for Business Development in Health
Amina: No matter what your financial status is, the NHS will be there for you when you need medical support which is free at the point of delivery.
Donna: The ethos of the NHS – that the patients always come first - shines through in so much that the professionals who work for it do, even through hard times.
What do you see as the NHS’ greatest asset or achievement?
Amie: There’s real power in the people who make up the NHS workforce to strive for what’s best for everyone concerned.
Amina: The NHS is established as one of the foremost healthcare systems in the world, as a real role model in providing healthcare and compassion. That’s why it was able to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
Donna: The NHS has been there for us all through some of the toughest times our country has faced and the ever-changing landscape it’s continuously navigating. This includes showing true resilience throughout the pandemic.
What is the NHS’s biggest challenge?
Amie: Providing healthcare for all is challenging when the playing field isn’t level. Services, demand and individual needs vary which makes it difficult to tackle the health inequalities these present. We hope our work with Integrated Care Systems will help with this.
We need more people, including key decision-makers, to continue believing in the NHS and therefore investing time, money and resources into it. Quality care with limited budgets and staffing is a huge obstacle to success.
Dr Amina al-Yassin
Sessional GP for Barnardo’s specialising in mental health
Donna: The NHS doesn’t have it easy – a combination of factors including increased demand, poor funding and workforce planning has led to long waits for treatment for many. Hopefully, the new Long Term Workforce Plan will help with this.
How is Barnardo’s helping and supporting the NHS?
Amie: I want to support the NHS to meaningfully listen to children, young people and families so services can be designed, delivered and improved to meet their needs.
Amina: I see Barnardo’s and the NHS as helpful friends. The NHS can thrive when other organisations step in and help where they can by bringing their own capacity, expertise and experience.
Donna: I want Barnardo’s to work in partnership with the NHS to support the workforce, reduce waiting times, cut pressure and consistently meet the targets which are in place to help patients.
What would you like to see the future of the NHS look like?
Amie: I would love to see the NHS working more closely with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to provide all aspects of care for a person’s physical, mental and emotional needs. I also think that so much more needs to consider the needs of children to ensure we look after the health of the next generation from both a prevention and an early intervention perspective.
Amina: There needs to be a real understanding that health is affected by so many factors - poverty, prejudice, inequalities, mental health and so much more – which must be addressed for people to thrive.
The NHS would really benefit from being more collaborative with organisations, such as Barnardo’s, to ensure it meets the challenges faced in our current society. We all need to recognise the NHS for the true asset it really is.
Donna Ryan
Strategic Programme Lead for Mental Health
About our health and social care work
Barnardo’s health team runs a range of physical and mental health services for children, young people and families. This includes early years help and support at our family hubs, Mental Health Support Teams and integrating health with social care. Find out more here:
