Mashie the emphasis on promoting preventative strategies ( referred to as Primary care) and educating patients has long been a multifaceted approach which has included the NHS, Doctors, Nurses and other disciplines allied to health. One of the aims identified of engaging people more closely in their personal health and well-being is to increase the number of quality of life years they experience; preventing illness and prolonging life.
“Fully engaged – levels of public engagement in relation to their health are high: life expectancy increases go beyond current forecasts, health status improves dramatically and people are confident in the health system, and demand high quality care. The health service is responsive with high rates of technology uptake, particularly in relation to disease prevention. Use of resources is more efficient.” as stated in the Wanless report.
So for a number of years there has been a shift within the NHS in focus from sickness and cure to wellness and prevention reflects the fact that the management of long term medical conditions and other issues relating to old age are of increasing concern. A more engaged public with higher levels of well-being will assist in relieving the financial pressure of such situations by remaining healthier for longer.
The NHS Responsibilities
There is a longstanding aspiration for the NHS to focus as much on promoting wellness as managing poor health and the NHS has a major contribution to make to the prevention of disease and the promotion of health across populations, working in partnership with local public health services through Health and Wellbeing Boards. The NHS mandate sets out the need for collaborative and partnership working between NHS England, Public Health England, National and local government, the NHS and the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs.)
General practice, and primary care more generally, have a strong contribution to make to reducing premature mortality through:
Promoting lifestyle changes;
Outreach to communities which are less likely to access services;
Ensuring patients are engaged and make an informed decision about participation in screening, and ensuring appropriate follow through;
Treating patients holistically in terms of mental and physical illness;
Promoting effective self-management for people with long-term conditions; and
Improving the management of comorbidities.
Supporting behaviour change ‘Making Every Contact Count’
Opportunities exist to promote the benefits of healthy lifestyles through routine contacts that people have with health services, by engaging individuals in conversations which support them in the steps they wish to take towards a healthier lifestyle. This includes provision of information, signposting or referral for individual support, and encouragement for behaviour change.
Implement a programme to train staff to deliver evidence-based very brief and brief interventions to support behaviour change (including stopping smoking, increasing physical activity, improving diet, reducing alcohol consumption and improving mental wellbeing), with support in place from behaviour change specialists and others to provide extended brief interventions for people who are high risk.
As a Nurse
As a Nurse Our Code of Professional Conduct clause 3 states Make sure that people’s physical, social and psychological needs are assessed and responded to . To achieve this, I must as a nurse must pay special attention to promoting wellbeing, preventing ill health and meeting the changing health and care needs of people during all life stages and act in partnership with those receiving care, helping them to access relevant health and social care, information and support when they need it.
Clause 6 Always practise in line with the best available evidence. To achieve this, I must: make sure that any information or advice given is evidence based, including information relating to using any healthcare products or services, and maintain the knowledge and skills you need for safe and effective practice.
So for a number of years the shift within the NHS in focus from sickness and cure to wellness and prevention reflects the fact that the management of long term medical conditions and other issues relating to old age are of increasing concern. A more engaged public with higher levels of well-being will assist in relieving the financial pressure of such situations by remaining healthier for longer.
As stated by liquidsky so succinctly:
Education is the only cure for all problems. It would ameliorate all sorts of problems and deficiencies in our medical areas.