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Opinion Acute Perspective

David Oliver: My personal pandemic experience is just one of many

BMJ 2022; 378 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1761 (Published 20 July 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;378:o1761

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Re: David Oliver: My personal pandemic experience is just one of many

Dear Editor

David's account is sobering but real. We all wish him well in his recovery. COVID essentially revealed the fault lines in the workings of the NHS which predated it. It has affected society at large, hasn't spared health care professionals and those who work in the service. The mismatch between demand and resources both in personnel and capabilities can no longer be wished away. Leaders must lead, come down to the levels where care happen, gain better understanding, project to the population the realities and challenges of delivering appropriate health care in the 21st century. I am not so confident this will happen. The gains from such introspection is too long term to be given priority. I worry it will be politics as usual unless a fundamental change in perspective and honest debate happens.

Competing interests: No competing interests

22 July 2022
Olu Akintade
Consultant Physician
North West Anglia NHS FT