Let’s all follow the Caerphilly model
THE NHS in both Wales and the UK is at breaking point, especially the ambulance service. A long-term solution is desperately needed and now is the ideal time to radically transform health care in Wales.
Currently we do not have a National Health Service but a National Illness Service. The Covid vaccination programme has been successful in Wales, with most people seeing the sense in taking part in this public health initiative. What is missing is an equal commitment to improve the health of the nation and thus increasing the chance of people not only surviving this virus but a host of other health conditions.
The NHS is struggling to cope with a range of preventable conditions, and we now need an NHS which actively encourages people to take more responsibility for their personal health rather than being passive recipients. We also need to develop more creative solutions and move away from seeing medication as a panacea to all our health problems.
The longitudinal Caerphilly cohort study, started in 1979, provides a sound evidence base in which we should be developing our approach to healthcare. This study’s finding showed that the five key areas of improving diet, undertaking regular exercise, lowering alcohol intake and body mass as well as ceasing smoking dramatically reduces the chances of developing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and dementia. Improving these lifestyle behaviours should be the basis of reforms with our health service particularly at the interface in GP practices.
Nye Bevan Tredegarised the UK with the NHS so why not Caerphillerise Wales?