Prevention is better than cure in local health and social care
The Minister for Health and Social Care has been talking about the importance of prevention recently and he announced his plans with the publication of a green paper entitled ‘Prevention is better than cure: Our vision to help you live well for longer’.
People are being encouraged to take more responsibility for managing their own health, as part of the government’s NHS strategy focusing on prevention. The plans argue for a shift towards primary and community care services, to look at the early support they can offer people in preventing bad health taking hold. Mr Hancock believes it is about people choosing to look after themselves better, staying active and stopping smoking. Making better choices by limiting alcohol, sugar, salt and fat.
Unfortunately the numbers don’t stack up when it comes to spending on prevention as opposed to treatment. In the UK, we are spending £97bn of public money on treating disease and only £8bn preventing it across the UK.
Matt Hancock’s says: “We cannot continue to invest in the same service models of the past. We will not meet our mission with ‘business as usual’. This vision sets out that greater focus, and spending, is needed on prevention, not just cure.” which suggests significant change.
The interesting aspect of the document is that it brings together prevention and - where prevention isn’t enough - treatment.
Focusing on the responsibilities of patients isn’t about penalising people. It’s about helping them make better choices, giving them the all the support we can, because we know taking the tough decisions is never easy.
The vision emphasises responsibilities for individuals, employers, local authorities, government and others and so is wide-ranging. It doesn’t shy away from highlighting health inequalities - and they will always be one of the toughest challenges. The approach will also include considering what a ‘health in all policies’ approach could look like.
Wokingham Borough Councillor Richard Dolinski holds the portfolio for Health and Wellbeing. He is passionate about people living well. He recently renamed the Health and Wellbeing Board to the Wellbeing Board to put a greater focus on prevention. He took last month’s meeting out of the Council offices and led a walk around Sandford Farm, Loddon Park to connect with local people.
Do you think Wokingham supports you to lead a healthy lifestyle? Do you think there is more you could do to prevent ill health in the future? Healthwatch is always keen to hear your thoughts.