Why relationships should be put at the heart of the NHS

Why relationships should be put at the heart of the NHS People with strong relationships are 50% more likely to survive life-threatening illnesses, research shows.

When someone is diagnosed with a long-term health condition such as cancer or dementia or experiences a stroke, the NHS has a duty to provide the best physical care possible. Every healthcare professional will know that this is vitally important, but will also realise that the full picture of a patient’s health and wellbeing is more complicated. One aspect of treatment and management that often gets overlooked is relationships.

Strong relationships with partners, family and friends are a crucial part of making life with a long-term health condition better. In fact, there is clear evidence that good-quality relationships can prevent, delay or minimise the effects of health conditions. People with strong relationships are 50% more likely to survive life-threatening illness than those with weaker ones. Ultimately, high-quality relationships can improve health and wellbeing for the 15 million people in the UK living with long-term physical or mental health conditions and potentially reduce pressure on the public purse. Continue reading... The Guardian