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MEDICAL MATTERS
Oh no not
FIA Chief Medical Officer John Searle looks at the new Government
white paper for health
That was my initial reaction as a doctor every time the NHS was reorganised – at least four or five times during my career. Whatever the political rhetoric about ‘making it better for patients’ each reorganisation is simply another attempt by Government to control NHS expenditure. And the Coalition’s proposals are no exception. But every time there is a reorganisation the trick for health professionals is to see it as an opportunity rather than moan about it. The same is true for fitness professionals with the current reorganisation. What do I mean? Well, there are two major changes that are going to happen over the next three years.
First, groups of GPs or ‘consortia’ are going to be spending 80% of the NHS budget. They are going to decide what sort of treatments they will fund. Now, we know that exercise is the key to disease prevention and a healthy and independent old age as well as playing a major part in the management of chronic illness. So here is a new opportunity for us to get to know our local GPs, let them know what we can offer and find new ways and places which enable people to exercise.
Secondly, public health has a new priority. Traditionally the NHS is driven by the diagnosis and treatment of illness. Prevention has always had a lower priority. That will change as funding for health promotion and disease prevention is protected. Much more will be done locally. For the fitness sector the key is the new local health and wellbeing boards where leaders in the NHS, public health and social care will work together for the health of their local community.
I guess, like me, you are beginning to groan thinking, ‘For goodness sake, just another committee, steeped in political correctness, saying a lot and doing little’. On the other hand it is an opportunity, to get involved and keep activity and exercise at the top of their agenda. But ‘why’ you may ask? We all know the answer. The key to health and wellbeing at any age is exercise. The question is, are we passionate enough about it to work these new systems so that more people are more active more often?
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