WHILE our junior doctors gather on the streets for the second strike of the year today (Wednesday, February 10), new research reveals just how important the NHS is to the nation.

Opinium Research asked over 2,000 UK adults what makes them most proud to be British and for 18 million (36%) the top choice was the National Health Service (NHS).

The NHS tops the Pride of Britain list by a considerable amount, with Britain’s rich history coming second on 25%.

Third was the British sense of humour (23%) - well, with our weather, you need to be able to laugh.

 

Next came the monarchy tied with the landscape and architecture on 22%.

Closely behind came individual freedom on 21%.

James Sweatman, head of healthcare at Opinium Research, said: “For almost 70 years, the NHS has stood as a symbol of national pride and our commitment to the principles of equality and humanitarianism, and it is heart-warming to see it tops our list of things that make us proud to be British.

"It is a timely reminder to us all that while the future of the health service remains unclear, what is abundantly clear is just how important it remains to our national identity and sense of Britishness."