Restoring Britain’s health to 2014 levels could add 2% to GDP- i.e. £72 billion

This was a very interesting informative listen.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002phn1

I suppose perhaps the only thing that could improve things quickly is reducing the waiting list for operations that could restore health and possibly the ability to work. I am thinking of things like hip or knee replacements or heart bypass.
Longer term is about reducing poverty and encouraging more healthy lifestyles.
One problem with that though, is that if a person is working long hours for minimum income, a healthy lifestyle is a bit of an impossible dream, no time for exercise, no money for healthier food.
The higher minimum wage might possibly help, but not if it just reduces universal credit.

Thanks for the link Petra 👍

I agree Ilovecheese that investing in reducing the NHS waiting list asap would help. Health deteriorates during the long waits.

In tandem a big surge investment in reducing waiting times for diagnostics would similarly help People are in fact on 2 waiting lists:
1) waiting times for various diagnostic procedures. The GP can order a routine or an urgent referral- but as yet the symptoms cause is likely unknown so most referrals are marked routine- unless the patient has suspected cancer symptoms
2) After one diagnostic referral wait, the result, eg from a dexa scan could show osteoporosis but also highlight another issue of concern that requires ultra sound scan
3) The USS wait could be a further 6-7 month wait
4) Meanwhile the patient's associated symptoms may have deteriorated, further symptoms have emerged and further diagnostic tests needed.
5) whilst waiting for further diagnostic tests- some have 9 month waits- the patient may go an a. surgical waiting list but the patient's health keeps deteriorating because some symptoms are yet to be diagsnosed and treated.

BOTH surgery and diagnostic waiting lists need urgent investment

Population growth maybe ? I think if people have to wait a long time to get medical help some will just not be bothered. It is happening here as well. If you are ill the last thing you want is long boring queues. I don’t think we are affected in quite the same way here, though because the life expectancy seems to be going up ( quality of life is another issue )

Healthy life expectancy and mortality rates are falling in the UK, one of only 5 countries in the world's 21 richest countries with a falling rate.

It is improving health generally and reducing health inequalities among people of working age that is key. If we want more people living longer we have to factor in an increase in the eventual illnesses and disabilities of later old age.

Does the report between physical and mental health?

I can’t help thinking that we could be a little more responsible for ourselves!
Of course there are things that we can’t be blamed for eg. my DH has pulmonary fibrosis caused by the chemicals used during his farming career, before it was realised that respiratory aids were needed.
He should however be aware of the things he needs to do to make his life easier.
Luckily he has me to keep him on the straight and narrow😂.
I think everyone should know and have access to the information that is out there but, unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
I’m not sure how the message gets through, I hear it loudly enough but many don’t.

Replying to Pamela. No doubt, but we can’t be blamed for hospital waiting lists. It is not our fault if we develop long-term conditions. These things will strike however saintly our diets or rigorous or exercise. And there are many for whom life is such a struggle that they have no space for advice.

winterwhite

It is improving health generally and reducing health inequalities among people of working age that is key. If we want more people living longer we have to factor in an increase in the eventual illnesses and disabilities of later old age.

Does the report between physical and mental health?

The Health Foundation report predominantly used Long Term Conditions as its measure for ill health. That could be either Physical or Health- and of course a mixture of the 2.

30% of those in the UK living with a physical LTC also suffer from chronic conditions like depression and anxiety. The health interactions often go both ways. so a need to treat both simultaneously promotes overall well being.

Long term conditions are the biggest reason for not being able to work and for PIP. claims etc

Managing the money the NHS has better, would go a long way to dealing with the problems.

I recently went in to hospital for minor day surgery, considered urgent. I was discharged 3 days later because I was on the point of discharging myself,

Why was I there 3 days? no medical reason, but because there was a build up of serious operation and the hospital had no system of feeding short minor ops in between major ops, or having a small ops theatre. I am sure there is a way round ths problem.

They also had a totally inefficient way of dealing with discharge letters. I could have been discharged hours after my op. Instead I was kept in a second night because there was no discharge letter.

I was just admitted to hospital and kept there, occupying beds that could be available for more seriously ill patients, having blood pressure, temperature etc checked every three hours. At least they saved money on feeding me. For most of the time I was in hospital I was nil by mouth.

This is not an aberration. This is the second time this has happened in two different areas of the country for the same minor op - lancing and cleaning out an abscess. 3 days in hospital. How much this cost the NHS I do not know.

I agree winterwhite 16.49. We can have family line of diagnoses osteoporosis. Knowing that you can do everything possible to promote good bone health- exercise, diet, etc etc- but post menopause change in hormones will heighten your risk- and then you have it....

This principle follows for other LTC- you can take responsibility for your health but that does not mean you won't get things- but may be delay onset.

For elective planned surgery such as you describe M0nica- cost of your bed per night around £930. If 2 other people could have the bed on the 2 nights you didn't need it and their minor surgery treatment could be delivered in a 24 hour stay that would be a big cost saving.

As you state the issue is streamlined theatre and surgical staff capacity to conduct both minor and major surgery to maximise bed use- 52 weeks a year, even during staff holiday periods.