NOTHING I write below should be construed as any criticism of the Heroes who work in the NHS. It is the system, not the people which is at fault.
When we gain independence, hopefully the changes which I and many others suggest can be part of our new world.
The name: National Health Service is a complete misnomer. The NHS is basically a recovery service for bodies which have either crashed or are already damaged. The sums spent on health promotion are derisory. This should be reversed. Serious money should be spent on setting out, promoting, nudging and enabling healthy lifestyles, rather than the necessity of repair of people damaged from preventable causes.
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This does not mean slogans; it means action by government – mostly in departments with no formal health brief. Health should be considered holistically, not only mind and body but also economically, socially, spiritually, artistically and all aspects of the human condition.
Regarding diet: this means not only promoting local natural foodstuffs in season, but also blanketing out advertising of processed food and drink – heavy in sugar, salt and fat – and putting a “Health Tax” on such products. This tax can be circulated to subsidise healthy food. All boys and girls in school should be taught basic cooking and this should also be prescribed for all adults presenting as obese. An obese child is a form of child abuse, and should be dealt with sensitively and positively to ensure the child’s future development is in a healthy environment.
Exercise should not be largely separated between the private and public sector as at present. Health syllabi should be developed between doctors and private health and sports organisations so that there is a clear understanding of the exercise needs of individuals dependent upon their age and physical conditions. Doctors should be able to prescribe exercise.
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Sleep is a significant factor in health. There should be detailed conversations between the government and employers regarding the length and intensity of the working week, and shift pattern of working to minimise stress. There are actions the individual can take too, to optimise sleep patterns.
Clothing is important in health. Discussions should be ongoing with couturiers and fashion designers to bring out reasonably priced clothing and shoes which are attractive but also promote health and are not detrimental to it. Tight garments in the upper and lower body and shoes which do not support the foot should become ridiculous and the thing of the past.
The government has the obligation to ensure that everyone has (and is free from the grinding worry and stress from lack of) basic economic security – that is, adequate food, accommodation, clothing, education, transport and some basic pleasure and relaxation.
Everyone needs a spiritual focus and the company of friends, relatives and companions. This is an area where religious and third-sector organisations should be supported to meet these general needs, and the specific needs of differing ages and demographic groupings.
The above is far from the complete picture, but gives just some snapshots to see how far we are from having a true health programme for our country!
Future generations will hardly believe that we had waiting lists of MILLIONS of ill people! A good quality of long, healthy life is a basic right of everyone. Preventable health problems should become unusual – the exception, not commonplace.
The present system of spending billions of pounds on human repair, rather than a programme of health maintenance, is an irresponsible gross waste of human quality of life and an obscenely expensive waste of money and other resources.
We can do a lot, lot better. It just requires the political will, a health plan and a robust, strong health organisation to carry it through. Maybe independence will provide the environment for this to happen?
Edward Graham-Barrie
Director, Tai Chi Scotland
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