Tax rises possible to support the NHS but could more emphasis be placed on alternative options?

The NHS funding crisis is not a secret in the United Kingdom, consequently putting the service under severe pressure. 88.5% of A & E patients are treated or admitted within four hours, 6.5% down on the national target. Only 13 out of 133 trusts are above this level.

Similarly, the number of patients waiting less than 18 weeks for planned operations and care is 87.2%, almost 5% short of the overall target.  Over 100 trusts are again missing the desired outcome.

With services and resources at breaking point, the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Health Foundation predicts an extra 4% of funds would be required each year for the next 15, at an average of £2,000 per household, as revealed by the BBC.

The research suggests that the only viable method to capture these funds is by raising taxes, with a predicted increase of 3% in the proportion of national income used to fund the NHS.

As the debate rages about whether a rise in tax or alternative methods will be utilised to support the NHS, the IFS and Health Foundation “warned the ageing population and rising number of people with long-term conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, means the health service needed more support than it had been getting in the past decade.”

Obesity is widely recognised as one of the leading causes of various health conditions and a financial burden to the NHS. As the second greatest root of cancer and the major origin of Type 2 diabetes, Public Health England estimated the cost of obesity to the NHS as £6.1 billion three years ago. That figure is projected to rise to almost £10 billion in the next 30 years.

Yet the emphasis on finding funds to support the NHS appears to be reactive rather than proactive. With services trying to lean on whatever resources they can muster to provide support for those suffering from illnesses, perhaps more could be done at the other end of the scale?

Rather than watching and waiting for overweight and obese figures to rise, thus causing more health conditions and in turn placing further financial burdens on the NHS, preventative measures should be acknowledged and supported before such problems grow and multiply.

Evolve Health Mentors are specially trained to support young people with their physical and emotional health and wellbeing whilst deployed in school. Preventative action such as the Project HE:RO programme is helping to educate the next generation on the importance of leading and following a healthy lifestyle.

Identifying and combating the root of the problem will prevent the issue from escalating further. Contact us at hello@evolvesi.com for more information.