Better NHS access would improve nation's health, UK Conservative Party says

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 05 Oct 2004 - 12:00 PDT

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Patients need better access to the NHS if they are to improve their own health, a Conservative party conference fringe meeting heard.

Chairman Niall Dickson from the King's Fund told delegates that the NHS had a mixed record on supporting public health. Mr Dickson also stressed that a lot more work was needed on key issues such as smoking, obesity and asthma as well as improving general patient inequality in the health service.

Donna Covey of Asthma UK stressed that long-term patients require better information on how the NHS can help them deal with their own chronic illnesses and improve self-care techniques.

Jennifer Dixon, also from the King's Fund, argued that the NHS should not be just a "sickness service" but should also operate as a form of illness prevention and that Government policy in this area needed to be improved.

Finally, Ms Dixon emphasised the vital role of the NHS as the country's largest employer and the impact it could have itself on the level of public health in the UK.

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