The NHS (National Health Service) has launched a new website called, Step into the NHS, directed at 14 -19 year olds to help them find out what it's really like working in the NHS.

Dr John Crippen wrote a scathing post about the website on his blog, NHS Blog Doctor. It's also worth noting that most of the comments left on his blog support his view.

I had a quick look at the website and it does seem to present a simplistic and idealised view of the NHS. I was really surprised to see the empty waiting room in the hospital from the video called "Ramp" and the speed and efficiency of the treatment for the girl with the injured wrist. I doubt the waiting room in any NHS hospital A & E is ever empty.

I bet the NHS spent a lot of money on the new website but I wonder if it will really help persuade teenagers to apply for work in the NHS and to fulfill the necessary education required for specific NHS careers. However, if the website does mean that more teenagers will consider an NHS career, that has to be a good thing, even if it gives a rather distorted view of the NHS.  I'm not sure the website is nearly as bad as Dr Crippen seems to think it is though.