Sustainable Health
We’re all aware of the financial problems in the NHS, and the growing health bill that the nation faces. In 2002, Derek Wanless produced a wide-ranging report on the long term future of the NHS, "Securing our Future – Taking a Long Term View", in which he called for much higher levels of public engagement in health, with all of us taking more responsibility for our own health – what he described as the ‘fully-engaged scenario’. However, this hasn’t happened, and the NHS is trying to deal with the consequences.
“Now I feel on an equal footing to people who haven’t experienced what it’s like to grow up in this environment, that isn’t conducive to being an active member of society…I think I would have remained in what I call the poverty trap, in that you don’t realise you can live, you’re just surviving kind of thing…acupuncture, the project, has given me hope, and the ability to deal with life.”
Impact film 2005
At Impact, we know that many of our patients become much more aware of their health and how they can take steps to improve it during the course of treatment. Patients have the opportunity to explore the possible underlying reasons for their ill health, and look at ways to improve it, physically, mentally and emotionally.
“The treatment has been fantastic for my back problem. I feel so much better after only a few sessions compared to physiotherapy which hardly helped at all. Thanks a lot for your help and for the exercises which I do at home.”
Impact comments book
Many patients who have treatment at Impact experience improvements in their health and wellbeing, and are able to function much better in their daily lives. Some have been able to start or return to work, others have begun study courses. After completing treatment at Impact, many people also use fewer NHS resources than they did before;
- 87% of patients report reducing or stopping prescribed medication.
- 76% of patients go to see their GP less.
- Some no longer require hospital treatment.
“I have found this service very helpful. Since I’ve been seeing Fiona, I have managed to come off antidepressants and I’ve gained lots more confidence which is great.”
Impact comments book
There are no unwanted side effects to these treatments, and no danger of addiction or toxicity. It is well known that drug based treatment can lead to effects that are frequently worse than the original problem. These complementary interventions are ecologically sound, and understand that each individual is part of the wider environment, both affecting and being affected by it.
Acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy are low-tech systems of medicine, with very low related costs. The equipment for one acupuncture consultation, including needles, costs around £1. The remedies required for one homeopathic prescription cost just 16p. There are no significant costs associated with chiropractic. You can be assured that all Impact’s income is spent on providing high quality healthcare – as a social enterprise, all surplus income is re-invested back into the services we provide for patients.
“As a chronic migraine sufferer with an associated back/neck problem the acupuncture and chiropractic treatments that I received have made a fundamental positive improvement to my life. I have gone from having almost daily headaches and migraines that would put me in bed for at least 2 days out of every week to being an occasional sufferer. The work of Impact has made just that – a big impact on my life and that of my family.”
Impact comments book
Healthy People, Healthy Planet
To read more on the concept of ecological and sustainable medicine, visit the Center for Sustainable Medicine at www.sustainablemedicine.net. Set up by homeopath Didi Pershouse, the Center is bringing together physicians of all types who are concerned about the ecological impact of healthcare, and the relationship between health and environment. We are working with the Center to learn more about the issues involved in delivering truly sustainable healthcare.
