PHOTO: CHRIS MCANDREW / UK PARLIAMENT
TA L K I N G P O I N T
Is Matt Hancock’s switch to prevention deliverable? Plans unveiled by Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, for the NHS to focus on prevention have been warmly welcomed by the industry, but can this become a reality and what role can we play? Kath Hudson reports
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n his green paper, Prevention is better than cure, and the recent NHS Long Term Plan, Matt Hancock announced that he wants to improve life expectancy, as well as lessen the burden of long term conditions on the NHS, by encouraging people to take personal responsibility for their own health and then be able to manage their conditions if they do fall ill. “It’s about people choosing to look after themselves better, staying active and stopping smoking. Making better choices by limiting alcohol, sugar, salt and fat,” says Hancock.
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It might sound like a no-brainer, but getting from the current situation, where two thirds of the NHS budget of £116bn a year is spent treating long-term conditions – with obesity, inactivity and co-morbidities increasing – will be a far from easy task and require significant investment. With facilities, services and know-how, the health and fitness industry is well placed to contribute, but will the government recognise this? Will there be sufficient investment for this change of focus and is the vision workable? HCM asks the experts.