Caterina Rossi
The promotion of self-care has emerged as a leading doctrine of public health messaging.
The NHS has launched campaigns such as “every mind matters” to promote self-care as a foundation of physical and emotional well-being. But could these NHS self-care campaigns be a desperate last attempt to disguise a healthcare system teetering on the brink of collapse?
Uncertain Times
Recent years have seen the National Health Service (NHS) encounter numerous challenges. From the Covid-19 pandemic that took the world by surprise to chronic underfunding and resource shortages, the NHS is certainly not at the top of the game. A report from The Guardian revealed that the UK public medical system is poised to experience its most significant real-terms cuts since the 1970s.
Consequently, the public health services have been busy adopting a… unique strategy.
Self-Care
Self-care, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), refers to “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote their own health, prevent disease, maintain health and to cope with illness with or without the support of a health or care worker.”
To help ease stress or anxiety find your little big thing at Every Mind Matters.
By answering 5 questions, you’ll get a free, personalised mental health action plan with tips on how to deal with stress & anxiety, boost your mood and feel more in control.https://t.co/eFMbi7ZGgS pic.twitter.com/gDPPzni8pb
— NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) (@NHSinBlkCountry) June 17, 2024
Public spaces and social media became arenas to advocate for the importance of beneficial activities such as taking walks, engaging in social interactions and exercising. Despite the well-intentioned nature of such initiatives, these suggestions appear to lose importance in the face of more severe problems. It is not hard to see them as superficial band-aids on the wounds of healthcare resource shortages and mismanagement.
The Real Problem
The truth is that the UK health system is in need of some intensive care. The scarcity of professionals in the field such as doctors and nurses does nothing to help the current workforce as burnout and compromised patient care are among the most severe consequences. Furthermore, underfunding has led to impressive industrial actions in the last two years, which has seen the biggest nursing strike in history.
The emphasis on self-care deflects attention from more significant structural problems within the whole system. While going for a walk or engaging in social interactions is helpful for our well-being, this does not replace the quality and timely treatments that we all equally deserve.
Patients often endure long waiting times for appointments and struggle to access essential medical therapy. A survey by Healthwatch in 2023 revealed that a third of the 2,507 participants in England lack confidence that they can access critical NHS services in time.
Complicating Matters
Moreover, there is cause to question the sincerity of these campaigns. On one hand, they might be genuine attempts to empower and help individuals lead healthier lives. On the other, they are an excuse to place the ‘burden’ of healthcare primarily on the rest of the population. In doing so, the system absolves itself of its fault and role in managing people’s well-being.
“The NHS embraces an individualistic appraoch that establishes the single person as ultimately responsible for their health”
Why are they not investing the money used for their marketing schemes to improve infrastructure? Or hiring staff and offering higher salaries to their workers? In using the already insufficient funds they have to advertise self-care techniques, the NHS embraces an individualistic approach that establishes the single person as ultimately responsible for their health. It’s convenient for the institution – not so much for the rest of us.
These self-care campaigns underline and exacerbate health inequalities. Not everyone has the opportunity to go on a pleasant and safe outdoor walk daily. Many people, due to study or work necessities, live far from their family and social circle and have less access to a support system. The gym is also not affordable or accessible to everyone.
These activities do not consider the varied demographics the NHS is supposed to serve. Instead of offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the healthcare system should tailor its approach to meet the diverse needs of all patients, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Accountability
Whilst promoting self-care has merits, it is critical for the NHS to ensure that these campaigns are not used as a band-aid to divert attention from more serious systemic issues. Meaningful healthcare reform requires more than simply encouraging individuals to adopt a more active lifestyle or have a chat with friends. It demands substantive investments in resources, infrastructure, and personnel. As taxpayers and patients, we must hold the NHS accountable for addressing the root causes of healthcare challenges. Only then can we truly build a healthcare system that serves the needs of all.
READ NEXT:
-
THE SPIKING EPIDEMIC
-
ZOE: REVOLUTIONISING HEALTH OR REVIVING TOXIC DIET CULTURE?
-
WHAT IS YOUR ‘THIRD PLACE’ AND WHY DO YOU NEED ONE?
Featured image courtesy of Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
