The NHS has lost its way, and patients are paying the price.

Who will step in to fill the void?

As a medical student in training, you learn that when you arrive for surgery, you must follow the strictest of protocols to ensure safety and sterility. This includes thoroughly scrubbing your hands and forearms and donning a sterile surgical gown and gloves. Before entering the surgical area, you must dress appropriately, including removing all jewellery, wearing clogs for footwear, a theatre hat (with hair tied up if necessary), and your ID badge. 

Scrubbing in is crucial for reducing the risk of infection, and it is emphasised that even the slightest mistake can be dangerous. For example, touching the outside of your gloves while putting them on requires repeatedly starting the procedure.  The point is that healthcare requires an all-or-nothing approach - only perfect scrubbing will suffice - not 98 per cent; it needs to be done correctly all of the time. 

Exacting standards are required across healthcare, which requires delivery in the right way at the right time to those who matter…