Wellbeing and Health Care in UK

Wellbeing and Health Care in UK

The UK spends nearly £116 billion at real 2015/16 prices on the National Health Service. It is estimated to increase to £133.1 billion by 2020/21, roughly 0.9% annually.Much of this increase will be swallowed up by rising prices. 

"The aim of the current government's efficiency drive is to save money,reducing bureaucracy, ending waste,adopting innovative ways of working and restructuring services."

Research findings show that in many cases ,this has already led to direct cuts to the services on offer to patients. In England almost half (43%) of NHS Trusts have been affected by cuts,causing a reduction in follow up appointments,increases in waiting times and a reduction in the number of specialist staff available for difficult cases. 

The impact of the cuts is hugely alarming for individuals and families.It is also a false economy as non provision now could only lead to higher social costs in the long term. 

The provision in NHS varies and the extent of this variation is not known. 

The NHS cuts are affecting the healthcare system as a whole.This is leading to anxiety,isolation and these cuts are having a far reaching effect on the quality of life of the people.

What can or may be done to support the delivery of services to patients in these difficult times?

Some of the innovations which are driving quality and efficiency can be listed:

    1.    Fostering GP Clinical engagement in the big five killers - 
           Cancer, heart  disease,stroke, respiratory liver disease and the unknown disease or
           patient safety.

    2..  Seven day GP  service.
     
    3.   Save lives and improve the quality of life by facilitating earlier intervention and better        
          management. 
    
    4.  Avoid costly hospital admissions and readmissions.

    5.  Long term conditions and integrated care.

Other cost effective ways

Life quality is greatly decreased by negativity, your own or being stuck in negative situations.
Stress is part of today's environment. Stress limits our potential of living a purposeful and fulfilling life.Control of stressful situations is one effective way.

Mediation is rewiring your brain for happiness.

Yoga and other exercises and measurement of self worth are other ways of creating happiness.

Sleep patterns - how well you sleep will probably affect how you feel and make a difference to your whole day.

Reactivity to anger frees emotions.

Connectedness - we are happy when we are connected with either friends and/or family or both.This is due to shared relationships,insights and experiences.

Being Outdoors - happiness is maximised being outdoors at 13.9 degrees C.and being with and admiring and adjusting with nature. 

Last but not the least, is helping others is helping oneself.

Victor Cherubim