In 1995, the British Medical Association predicted that by 2025 the number of people over 80 would increase by almost half.  We have reached that level already.  Last year it was estimated that there are some 15 million people in the UK living with chronic health conditions, and this is expected to increase by another 17% in the next 10 years.  These stark statistics set the backdrop at a recent Economist Event entitled,“A UK Vision for ‘Patient-Centric’ Care: Strategies for Sustainable Healthcare Reform”.

Attended by over 100 healthcare professionals, the audience was afforded the opinions of a range of thought leaders on the issue of health reform, which is so desperately needed if our healthcare systems are to cope with the aging population.

Compounding the statistics, public opinion further highlights the need for healthcare reform in the UK.  A recent white paper prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit, in conjunction with Philips, demonstrated the following survey:

• Government gets a thumbs-down on their handling of the healthcare system.
• If patients are now customers, they are not happy ones.
• Some patients are more empowered than others.
• The British are not keen on fees, but are more relaxed about tax.
• German gloom spells a warning to reformers.

Speaking at the event, Andrew Lansley , CBE MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, outlined the three pillars of reform required to ensure that the needs of the patient become the central focus of care provided by the National Health Service (NHS).  These pillars were information, choice, and control.  Firstly, information on services, results, patient experience and outcomes; secondly, choice of general practitioner (GP), hospital and consultants; lastly, control of healthcare records, a patient voice that is heard and personalized budgets. Watch Andrew Lansley's speech here.

At Philips we believe that there is a role for much greater co-operation with the NHS on prevention, screening, and early diagnosis of disease.  Health technology that enables the patient to monitor their own vital signs from home or monitoring of symptoms in the ambulance on the way to hospital ensures a greater speed of information sharing and frees up valuable time in the hospital, ultimately improving patient outcomes.  This kind of technology ticks a number of boxes.  It is designed around the patient; it is preventative; it helps keep patients in their homes; and it enables GPs to provide a more personalized service.  It will also reduce costs.

We believe that what is needed in the UK – and in Europe at large – is a policy that looks over a longer horizon than the next four or so years.  The focus should be threefold:

1. Concerted efforts around prevention
2. A move from hospital-centric care to home or neighborhood care that can complement excellent acute services.  This would virtually eliminate bed-blocking, as well as providing more personalized treatment, which is what people want.
3. Collaboration between government, the NHS, healthcare companies, insurance providers, and medical stakeholders.

The market and policy climate should recognize these aims.  It should foster and reward best-in-class commissioning and delivery; and allow the whole healthcare system to develop consistently in a sustainable and positive way. To watch the address from Gerard Kleisterlee, CEO of Philips, on the global challenge of sustainable healthcare, click here. 

For a video highlight reel of the event,  click here. And to watch other speeches and panel discusssions from the event, click here.

Eric