Prevention best way to reduce NHS demand

Growing pressure on NHS services could be eased if the ‘new mindset and new skillset’ of health coaching was more widely adopted across patient care. This was the prevalent point debated by a panel of esteemed healthcare professionals during Connect Health’s latest Change event, ‘Can health coaching reduce primary care pressure and improve patient outcomes?

At an event, hosted by Connect Health, earlier this year, strategies for reducing demand on the NHS were high on the agenda. The event chair, Richard Pell, Flippin’ Pain campaign director, at Connect Health, introduced the session, outlining data from the British Medical Association showing the current challenges facing primary care, exacerbated by declining GP numbers and recruitment and retention issues.

“There is now the equivalent of 2,000+ fewer qualified full-time GPs compared to 2015, despite practices delivering 29.6 million appointments in January alone – with seven in 10 of those being face-to-face,” Richard explained. “It is recognised that health coaching has the potential to reduce demand on primary care; supportive selfmanagement intervention can guide and prompt people to change their thoughts and behaviour, so they can make healthcare choices based on what matters to them

“Health coaches aim to develop people’s motivation, knowledge, skills and confidence around a variety of issues and conditions, including weight, diet, mood and persistent pain.They support people to become more active in the management of their own health and care.”

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.

Latest Issues

BAUN 2024 Annual Conference

ACC, Liverpool
3rd - 5th November 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Belfast

ICC Belfast
9th November 2024

NAMDET Annual Conference 24

Venue Cymru, Llandudno , North Wales
13th November 2024

IDSc Annual Conference 2024

Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel
26th - 27th November 2024

IV Forum 2024

Birmingham Conference & Events Centre (BCEC)
Wednesday 4th December 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Leeds

TBA, Leeds
7th December 2024