Careif patron Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE launches new book ‘Conversations about the NHS’

Members of the Careif Board and their associates present at the launch of a new book, Conversations about the NHS, by our patron Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE. The release of the book was timed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service.

Professor Dinesh Bhugra at the book launch

Professor Bhugra is a psychiatrist with nearly 40 years of practice in the NHS, and is a past President of the British Medical Association, Royal College of Psychiatrists, and the World Psychiatric Association.

Much has changed since the NHS was founded in 1948, it has been a time of continuing evolution to respond to the changing health needs of the nation. Conversations about the NHS is a poignant series of interviews with a variety of interested parties including policymakers, doctors, patients, and journalists. It reflects the history, progress and limitations as the NHS faces the challenges of the next 70 years.

The challenge is for politicians, policymakers, and stakeholders to recognise the ongoing NHS pressures and put strategies in place now so that the NHS survives both as a principle and as an institution. It is beyond politics.

Professor Bhugra commented:

“The NHS was established when the communities came together in the shadow of World War 2. It is one of those key achievements that the UK can be truly proud of. It is vital that we look at what is needed not only in terms of funding but also in managing societal expectations. Governments need a 15-20 year plan with cross-party and public support but they must also help encourage and support citizens to look after their own health including mental health”.

The NHS is part of the nation’s strong foundation, but health can no longer be seen in a silo. There must be interconnectedness with education, housing, and employment. In addition, public health and all health need to be integrated and social care and health must come together.

Professor Rachel Tribe, Chair of Careif, also commented on the book launch:

Careif trustees and associates attend the book launch alongside Professor Dinesh Bhugra (3rd from left)

“We are delighted to be able to support Professor Bhugra’s important work and agree with his statement about the need for support within mental health, this issue is also discussed in the recent Careif blog post written by Dr Jed Boardman on The NHS at 75 – What do mental health services owe to the NHS?”.

The launch took place at the Royal College of Psychiatrists headquarters in London on 10 August 2023. The event included a series of short talks on the current state of the NHS. Speakers included the crossbench peer Baroness Molly Meacher and Dr Chaand Nagpaul past Chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) Council, who later led a panel discussion.

The audience voiced their support for an end to the neglect of the NHS and a need to increase the funding of a universal health system.

You can find out more about Conversations about the NHS on the publisher’s website.