In recent decades there has been a trend in the mainstream media portraying the health service, and the professionals who work within it, in a negative light. The criticism tends to be linked to waiting lists, issues related to hygeine and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, understaffing and hospital closures. This trend is only ever bucked when something out of the ordinary happens, such as when a particularly heart-warming case comes to light or a novel treatment is introduced into the health service.
