The aims of the government’s 10 year health plan – such as the shift from prevention to cure – are not new and have been priorities in many other health plans over the last 35 years. The question we need to ask is why have previous plans failed in achieving these objectives? The short-term electoral cycle prioritises funding for immediate, visible hospital crises over long-term strategies whose benefits are not seen for years. This is compounded by a health system that is designed to reward the treatment of sickness, not the promotion of wellness. The persistent fragmentation between the NHS, public health and social care, and pressures from an ageing population and widening health inequalities have created a reactive environment where long-term strategic goals are perpetually sacrificed to manage immediate demands. The UK government and NHS staff do not lack insight into what improves health. Unless we redesign the incentives, protect public‑health budgets and hold every departme...
There was a lot of discussion in the government’s 10 year health plan about digital interventions such as giving people online access to their medical records. But does this improve healthcare delivery and clinical outcomes? This was the topic of our recent systematic review published in the journal BMJ Quality and Safety . We found that giving people online access to their medical records increased self-reported patient-centredness and improved some aspects of patient safety. But many questions about the benefits of online access remain unanswered. The Good News: Empowering Patients On the positive side, we found clear evidence that giving people online access to their medical records increased self-reported patient-centeredness. What does that mean in simple terms? Patients felt more involved, informed, and in control of their own care. This shift from a passive recipient to an active participant is a cornerstone of modern healthcare and is a significant win for patient empowerm...