It’s been just over a month since the UK elected a new government, and a lot has been happening in the country since then.
Right before the election, STV news asked me to share my opinion on what the future of healthcare in the UK should look like. Unfortunately, due to pressures in the GP practice at the time, I couldn’t participate in the interview. But if I had been able to be interviewed, I would have highlighted the following as the top health priorities for the next government:
Primary Care:
1️⃣ Increase funding for primary care services, as there has been a year-on-year reduction in real-time funding while the demand for appointments has sky-rocketed.
2️⃣ Redesign the healthcare system to align with modern society’s needs. People expect instant access to everything these days. Waiting for months or years on waiting lists doesn’t work anymore.
3️⃣ Healthcare messaging needs to reach people where they are, including on social media. Well-funded public health messaging on social media can make a real difference. Many patient appointments in recent years have been influenced by content seen on these platforms. (Appointments that did not need to happen)
Public Health:
1️⃣ Focus on preventative medicine and educate people about lifestyle choices and their impact on health. Let’s tackle the rise of lifestyle-related diseases.
2️⃣ Design a healthcare system that addresses the root causes of people’s health issues, rather than applying temporary solutions. We need to move away from the “band-aid” approach we currently have.
3️⃣ The government should take more action to address the influence of the food industry, particularly in promoting ultra-processed foods, especially when it comes to children.
4️⃣ Let’s prioritise making healthy living more accessible and equitable for all demographics.
Fingers crossed that we start to see some positive movement in the direction healthcare in the UK is heading!
