Strong support for the NHS? (9)
I believe the answer is:
stretcher
'nhs?' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'strong support for' is the wordplay.
'strong' becomes 'str' (abbreviation for strong).
'support for' becomes 'etcher' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'str'+'etcher'='STRETCHER'
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stretcher that I've seen before include "Device for carrying one who is lying down" , "patient's put on" , "Horizontal crossbar on a chair" , "medical ancillaries should find bearable" , "For transport of the wounded" .)