GPs told: Save NHS cash by prescribing self-help cures like going for walks
DOCTORS should ease the strain on the NHS with “recommendation prescriptions” like saying take a walk, it was suggested last night.
GPs could help tens of millions treat themselves by suggesting a range of self-care advice and over-the-counter medicines for minor ailments.
Doctors could prescribe activities such as socialising more to boost mental wellbeing, or a 30-minute walk three times a week to get fitter.
Other therapies could include eating less salt to help slash high blood pressure and joining a slimming organisation to aid dieting.
John Smith, chief executive of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, which is behind the plan, said: “Almost a third of people are visiting the GP for minor health concerns when self-care would be much quicker and more convenient for the individual.”
“This clearly demonstrates a need for these recommendation prescriptions, which will give people the information they want to be able to self-care with confidence.”
Experts said the “simple but effective” plan could save health services millions by empowering people to tackle minor illnesses and bad lifestyle choices themselves.
NHS England told GPs not to prescribe for minor, short-term ailments after taxpayers forked out £4.5million a year on anti-dandruff shampoos, £7.5million on indigestion and heartburn remedies and £5.5million on mouth ulcer treatments.
London GP Sarah Jarvis said: “Recommendation prescriptions is a simple, but effective initiative that would support GPs to promote self-care.
“Patients are looking for advice on the best way to treat symptoms and in cases where a prescription is not appropriate, it would be useful for me and would provide my patients with the reassurance they’re looking for.”
The recommendation prescriptions would include space for GPs to write details of the illness, any self-care advice and details of over-the-counter medicines available in a pharmacy.
Overall, 1.11 billion prescriptions were issued in England last year, a marginal increase on 2016, at a total cost of £9.17billion. The most prescribed drugs were cholesterol-buster atorvastatin, given 37 million times, and thyroid medicine levothyroxine sodium, issued 31 million times.
GPs wrote almost 20 million paracetamol prescriptions at a cost of £61.9million, when a pack of tablets can be bought for as little as 19p.
Doctors in England also issued 23.8 million opioids, mainly for chronic, prolonged conditions like back pain. Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said: “GPs will encourage any patients who can afford to buy their medication over the counter to do so. If recommendation prescriptions facilitate this, it would be prudent to explore the idea further.”
NHS England said: “GPs already provide general advice on minor illnesses and recommend medications that can be easily purchased over the counter without prescription, and anyone with a manageable condition like indigestion or a cold which does not normally require medical treatment can visit their local pharmacist for help.”