NHS Additional Focus on Prevention

[Psamathe]

Difficult to find accurate thread title as clearly Starmer/Streeting announced new NHS focus on prevention clearly can't mean NHS stopping treating.

I do wonder how broad the new focus on health and prevention will extend eg will we see a sustained push on active travel? Although not NHS I think prevention is far broader than just the NHS eg diet (eg through taxing unhealthy foods), active lifestyle (infrastructure, commuting, etc.), air pollution, etc.

Seems a very sensible focus but if the Government is serious I think just under the NHS would severely limit results.

I did see reported a new integrated push for active travel (https://www.theguardian.com/politic...yors-back-plan-national-active-travel-network) which sounds good in that it includes a lot of linked longer distance routes, but it's an initiation from local Mayors using some of their regional budgets not Westminster initiative.

and, "The scheme, which involves all non-London regional mayors other than one from Reform UK" so Reform showing their true colours (again), though in fairness one of the 12 participating is Reform control.

Ian

 

[BoldonLad]

Hopefully, this initiative will be more successful that previous attempts. About 27 years ago, my GP suggested increasing my BP medication. Since I dislike taking medication, unless vital, I resisted. Eventually, after several appointments, I was referred to an "exercise and diet group". The group was poorly attended (hardly surprising, because it would appear you had to be an awkward/difficult patient to be referred to it). I am pleased to. say, the group rekindled my interest in cycling, reduced my weight by a stone, and, reduced my BP. The group has long since been disbanded for lack of support.

 

[Psamathe]

Hopefully, this initiative will be more successful that previous attempts.

My worry about this "new focus" is that I believe to address the "health of the nation" and move more preventative means looking beyond the NHS itself eg to include active travel, air pollution, food & diet (through shops), etc. Governments focus only on NHS even if successful will achieve far less than would be possible with a broader focus.

And a lot of those non-NHS aspects can be achieved without much money which should really appeal to Government given the current financial position of the country.

Ian

 

[presta]

A comment from health analyst Steve Black in the BMJ: