21.11.12
Health MOT
Regular health checks have been criticised today for failing to provide significant benefits, and actually presenting participants with unwarranted stress and even unnecessary treatment.
Additionally, it seems as if those who are most likely to take advantage of the national programme are the least likely to actually need it, being fairly well off, with all the health benefits this generally brings.
The concept behind the checks is a great idea, and eventually, one way or another, the NHS must seek to move towards preventative care rather than simply being a service for the sick.
Perhaps more data on how the programme could actually impact on people’s lifestyles, or how many diseases were caught early due to the checks, would raise its profile and help increase access to those that really need it.
Some may argue that spending time checking healthy people is a waste of NHS resources, but before developing disease, all patients are healthy.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]