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NHS reform
ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on the prime minister's announcement that a large-scale screening programme will be introduced in England to help create a more preventative health service.
Comment from:
Stakeholder response: Unite
To send a comment to Unite, click here
Roger Jeary, director of research, said: "Unite believes that the NHS was established to be a health service and not simply a sickness service. That is why we have championed the cause of public health and opposed the swingeing cuts that have been made to PCTs - resulting in one of the largest surpluses in NHS history.
"Promoting holistic public health should be restored as a key element of the government's reform programme, encompassing all sections of the community. As a first step, this initiative is to be welcomed if it refocuses the NHS on the benefits of preventative public health and leads to an evaluation of other controversial public health policies which have focused on involving the private sector in community care".
Stakeholder response: Help the Aged
To send a comment to Help the Aged click here
Paul Cann, director of policy and external relations, said: "The prime minister's emphasis on prevention through measures such as screening for conditions like stroke or heart disease during mid-life is welcome.
"However, Help the Aged believes that far more should be done for the current older age group. Screening is a key tool of public health and prevention and should not be limited by age unless it is proven from clinical research that this is justified.
"In addition, given the demographic make-up of the country, Help the Aged wants to see greater focus on certain conditions which devastate the lives of older people but which can be prevented.
"Falls are a prime example - over half of hospital admissions for accidental injury result from a fall and half of those who suffer a hip fracture never regain their former level of function.
"Incontinence is a further example of where greater work and provision is urgently needed. Around one-in-ten of the population will suffer from continence issues at some point in our lives, with risk increasing as we get older. While this debilitating condition can be treated, many cases go undiagnosed and can cause real misery for many people.
"With issues such as these at front of mind, what is needed from the prime minister therefore is enhanced commitment to tackling a range of public health issues. Doing so will result in a more rounded and effective public health drive which benefits the whole population."
Stakeholder response:
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