The BBC have covered this morning a report by the Self-Care Campaign that is singing from the same hymn sheet as 2020health's reports on Responsibility in Healthcare and our What Women Want manifesto: unless we encourage, nudge, educate, incentivise, whatever towards self-care, the 'dependency culture' will continue to drain the NHS of vital resources that are desperately needed for those with serious illness.
Using stats published in August last year, today's report identifies that one fifth of GP appointments are a waste of their time - coughs, colds, backache, dermatitis, constipation. (Even now I can hear the relevant campaign groups reaching for their keypads to write and tell me of all the deadly diseases of which these 'innocuous' symptoms can be the first sign - no need please - we're simply advocating common sense and discretion). Privately I have had GPs tell me it's up to 40% that are unnecessary. And there are no tears being shed over the potential loss of these patients as they are currently having to be fitted in around the greater number of patients being treated 'in the community' i.e.by the same GPs.
Some say this 'dependency' dates back to the inception of the NHS; I'm not sure about that - but what I am sure of is that over the last 12 years, the emphasis on easier access to health professionals, extension of 'free' prescriptions and knowledge that we are treated no matter what has been interpreted by too many as an entitlement with no obligation. It's unaffordable.
All Parties should be embracing self-care as a common sense part-solution to a long term sustainable healthcare system. It's simple: more self-care = fewer cutbacks. It should be part of a four way deal: industry should be providing more health services; individuals should be using health services more wisely; professionals should be enabling self-care and the government should be ensuring the highest standards of care, practice and information are disseminated and implemented.
