NHS, a boiling frog in a saucepan: has suffering in care become mundane?

What an excellent blog.

In clinical education we often present ethics as either an internal compass, or an organisationally prescribed value. But this article reminds us that even the best compasses can become distorted when the terrain itself changes shape. We see this with denial and justification of unacceptable practice. The question on my mind though is does the system truly change one’s values, or is it more a case of compartmentalisation - a trauma response.

“The vast majority of healthcare professionals entered their careers to alleviate suffering, not to become powerless bystanders to it.”

I’d argue that many students and professionals aren’t actually becoming desensitised, but rather morally injured, which aligns with the language of ‘numb resignation’. They know exactly what good care looks like but are systematically preventing from delivering it and fear personal or professional retribution if they question the system. That’s not apathy, that’s emotional abuse of staff.