The mythbuster: The NHS can and should learn from Formula One (HSJ, 9 June 2026)

Summary

When big problems in the NHS are highlighted by comparing it to other organisations, the service often reacts in a hostile and dismissive manner. But these complaints usually completely miss the point of the comparison.

Recently Diane Coyle suggested the NHS could learn from the way a Formula 1 racing team operates, but it was met with unwarranted hostile reaction by some commentators. In this HSJ article, Steve Black explores how resistance to outside comparisons hides deep flaws in NHS systems, priorities, and data use.