This article examines the psychological effects of the reorganization of the NHS. Through a combination of theoretical and clinical perspectives, the authors describe the psychological effects of the neoliberal and privatizing policies that have changed the landmark of the NHS in England. The article uses Foulkes’ main theoretical viewpoints as well as some Bionian ideas in an attempt to illustrate the losses, challenges, tensions and opportunities that the NHS has experienced in the face of change and pressure. The ultimate aim is to describe how group analytic theory and technique could aid understanding of, and thereby alleviate, some of the pain that the organization has endured through this process.
BallattJCamplingP (2011) Intelligent Kindness: Reforming the Culture of Healthcare. UK: RCPsych Publications.
2.
BehrHHearstL (2008) Group-Analytic Psychotherapy: A Meeting of Minds (3th edition). London: Whurr Publishers.
3.
BellD (2019) Neoliberalism is bad for your mental health. In:The unconscious in social and political life. The Political Mind Series: Bicester: Phoenix, pp. 79–102.
4.
BionW (1961) Experiences in Groups. London: Tavistock.
EliasN (1994) The Civilizing Process. Blackwell: Oxford. First published in German in 1939. First English Editions: Volume 1, The History of Manners (1978) Oxford: Blackwell; State, Formation and Civilization (1982) Oxford: Blackwell.
12.
FairbairnR (1944) Endopsychic structure considered in terms of object relationships. In: FairbairnR (1994) Psychoanalytic Studies of the Personality (1st edition). London: Routledge.
13.
FoulkesSH (1948) Introduction to Group-Analytic Psychotherapy: Studies in the Social Integration of Individuals and Groups. London: Maresfield Reprints.
14.
FoulkesSH (1964) Therapeutic Group Analysis (Reprint). London: Karnac Books.
15.
FoulkesSH (1973) Oedipus Conflict and Regression. In: (1990) Selected Papers. London: Karnac, pp. 235–247.
16.
FoulkesSH (1975) Group Analytic Psychotherapy: Methods and Principles. London: Karnac.
17.
FoulkesSHAnthonyEJ (1957) Group Psychotherapy: The Psychoanalytic Approach (2nd edition). Middlesex: Penguin Books.
18.
FreudS (1914) On narcissism: An Introduction. Standard Edition 14 volume 1, pp. 67–102.
19.
FreudS (1917) Mourning and Melancholia. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, volume XIV (1914–1916): On the History of the Psycho-Analytic Movement, Papers on Metapsychology and Other Works, pp. 237–258.
20.
GaleanoE (2003) Las Palabras Andantes. Madrid: Siglo XXI.
21.
GarlandC (1982) Group-Analysis: Taking the Non-Problem Seriously. Group Analysis15(1): 4–14.
22.
Glover-ThomasN (2013) The Health and Social Care Act 2012: The emergence of equal treatment for mental health care or another false dawn?Medical law international13(4): 279–297.
NortonKMcGauleyJWilsonJMenziesD (1992) Health Care Services in the Market Place: Early Effects on Caring Relationships. Therapeutic Communities13(4): 243–252.
28.
RafaelsenL (1996) Projections, Where Do they Go?Group Analysis29(2): 143–158.
29.
RobertsJP (1982) Foulkes’ Concept of the Matrix. Group Analysis15(2): 111–126.
