Today we have been talking about the ‘Fax Tax’ headlines plastered across the tabloid papers.  Upon reading the report they have come from ‘Visions of Britain 2020’ however, we have come to the conclusion that the report does share a vision with Steps to Wellness.   Whilst it suggests reducing the amount spent on complementary therapies within the NHS, it states that there needs to be ‘greater emphasis on preventative care’ – which is exactly what we are in the business of promoting.  We’ll keep working on the complementary therapies for all, for now.

Taking increased responsibility for our own health continues to be a hot topic.   Reactions to a new report, Visions of Britain 2020 in the tabloids have featured talk of ‘Fat tax’ for those who won’t shape up or give up or reduced or charged for NHS services for those who are seen to be less deserving.  After reading the report, however, it would seem that it is a reasoned discussion of the future of public health services with contributions from the country’s leading medical experts.  One of the findings is that ‘unhealthy behaviours will be penalised’ in the name of preserving a public health service and that ‘the assault on pleasure is a growing trend that diminishes the liberties of the individual in the name of the common good’.  It is true that a number of activities have been restricted in the past few decades but what about incentives to encourage the public to behave?  The report does mention a few but these have been difficult to assess, so for convenience sake, it’s easier to control undesirable behaviour in a move towards ‘greater emphasis on preventative care’.

We at Steps to Wellness believe in balance: an analogy of carrot and stick come to mind.  The ‘Assault on pleasure’ mentioned above is a difficult term: some could argue that keeping fit and healthy is a pleasure and others that the health of the nation could be improved more efficiently if more complementary therapies could be enjoyed courtesy of the public purse (not cut as the report suggests).  One of the conclusions is that there needs to be a ‘greater emphasis on preventative care’, which would suggest a move away from relying on the state to provide health in a conventional sense and opening up a more personal, more holistic journey to health to everyone.  It’s up to everyone to make sure that this is not just a state sponsored cost cutting exercise but a positive change in the way we all take responsibility for our own health.

Amanda, Steps