Manifesto for a healthy and health-creating society

Abstract

Brexit and the troubled state of the NHS call for re-thinking the UK's approach to health. The EU referendum vote reveals deep social divisions as well as presenting the country with important decisions and negotiations about the future. At the same time, health problems are growing; the NHS faces severe financial constraints and appears to lurch from crisis to crisis, with leaving the European Union likely to exacerbate many problems including staffing issues across the whole sector. However, new scientific developments and digital technology offer societies everywhere massive and unprecedented opportunities for improving health. It is vital for the country that the NHS is able to adopt these discoveries and see them translated into improved patient care and population health, but also that the UK benefits from its capabilities and strengths in these areas.

Unfulfilled potential of primary care in Europe

“…Task shifting to primary care is often appropriate, but reallocation of responsibility is rarely followed by adequate reallocation of resources 13. Primary care teams have been on the front lines of this century’s major demographic and epidemiological challenges, including ageing, socioeconomic inequalities, chronic diseases, rising consultation rates, and multimorbidity 131415. The future sustainability of our health systems depends on primary care successfully meeting increased need with affordable, person centred, high quality care.…”

Putting the public (back) into public health: leadership, evidence and action

“…This involves mobilisation of collective resources within communities that protect health and can support prevention efforts, such as individuals' knowledge, skills and commitment, social networks, informal support systems and environmental assets. More recently, Crisp and colleagues set out a manifesto for a health creating society built on a society-wide approach where community mobilisation is valued as a means to build healthy, thriving communities (20).…”

“…Perhaps for the first time, there is alignment of intersectoral commitment, evidence and practical models. We are poised on the brink, looking forward to a public health system more oriented to communities and part of a movement to build a health creating society (20).…”

Time to put health at the heart of all policy making

“…1-9 Higher education is a major economic generator, and international students must be regarded as a resource for knowledge and international cooperation, not as a negative figure in net migration. 8 The NHS provides a platform for innovation, and the UK needs to retain and develop its global pre-eminence in biomedical science, health, and care technology. It is vital for jobs and trade, 8 but it also benefits international health, as we see with the drive on antimicrobial resistance.…”

“…8 The NHS provides a platform for innovation, and the UK needs to retain and develop its global pre-eminence in biomedical science, health, and care technology. It is vital for jobs and trade, 8 but it also benefits international health, as we see with the drive on antimicrobial resistance. 10 The next government must be a world leader for green technology, green energy systems, energy conservation, and a green economy.…”