Our World

In the year 2035, the NHS operates under strict guidelines that prioritise personal responsibility for health due to severe economic pressures. The government has introduced policies where individuals who neglect their health are denied certain treatments unless they demonstrate efforts to improve their well-being. The public are required to meet basic health maintenance criteria. People are encouraged to track their progress through government issued health services, which monitor physical activity, dietary habits, and regular check-ups. All linked to a national data base that healthcare providers can consult before offering treatment. If an individual consistently fails to follow health advice, their access to non-emergency, medical care may be restricted. This refusal can range from elective surgeries to treatments for chronic conditions that could have been mitigated though lifestyle changes.

The policy has led to a sharp cultural shift. Personal health is now regarded not only as a private matter but also as a civic duty. Those who actively manage their health are praised as responsible citizens, while those who neglect it face social stigma, accused of wasting public resources. Healthcare professionals, while still compassionate are now bound by regulations that push them to prioritise patients who show commitment to their health. In this world, the NHS still offers care, but with a heightened focus on preventative measures and personal responsibility. It’s a system where the burden of care is shared between state, the health care system, and people themselves and where the cost of neglecting personal health may result in being left to cope alone.

Our exhibition takes visitors inside the lives of four individuals living under this policy. Each story based on extensive research and offers a different lens on the reality of life when health becomes a measure of worth. These immersive settings reveal how the policy effects access to care, relationships, employment, and self-perception. You’ll meet:

Eva: After sudden hearing loss, Eva struggled to adapt and connect with others. A referral to a support group left her feeling even more isolated, highlighting how one size fits all care can miss the mark for younger patients like her.

Imran: Working long hours in a high pressure job, Imran’s health has quietly deteriorated. Diagnosed with early onset osteoporosis, he ignores worsening pain. Caught between denial, duty, and a system that demands visible effort before offering care.

Gerald: Once active and energetic, Gerald’s health has declined with a sedentary lifestyle. Now facing limited access to care, he’s motivated to change but stands at the uncertain beginning of a journey where intention must become action.

Amanda: Overwhelmed by work and single motherhood, Amanda’s asthma spirals out of control. A charity funded retreat offers her a rare chance to rest, becoming the breakthrough that helps her reclaim her health for both her and her children.

Each space invites reflect on the line between motivation and coercion, support and surveillance, care and control.

When health becomes a duty, who gets left behind?