THREE local business people celebrated the launch of their new endeavour which aims help relieve pressure off the NHS last week.
The UK's first Medical Writers Club - spearheaded by TV presenter and GP Dr Dawn Harper - officially launched on Tuesday, September 12 at an event at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London.
Guests enjoyed canapes and drinks while listening to Dr Harper talk about the new organisation.
This brand new club is a body of 15 medical professionals from across the general practice, nutrition, psychotherapy, sports medicine, longevity and public health sectors.
It has been set up to relieve pressure on the NHS by educating people about prevention before cure through lifestyle changes.
The group will roll out major public health campaigns to promote lifestyle changes, and the first campaign in 2024 will focus on obesity and type II diabetes.
Dr Dawn Harper - who lives near Cirencester and is a GP in Stroud - founded the group alongside David Reach and Jo Welch of PR agency RCH100.
Dr Harper said: “95% of what I see in general practice has a lifestyle element.
"As GPs we are now delivering one million appointments per day, which is half a million appointments more per week than pre-pandemic.
"In addition, the number of people in the UK over 75 years old is up a third since 2010, and this age group has five times more GP appointments than younger people.
"The number of people living longer is only set to increase.
"This pressure on the primary care system is simply unsustainable.
"We have a right to be seen by a healthcare professional, a right to be seen in an emergency department, and a right to choose our specialist.
"But, with rights come responsibilities and we all owe it to our NHS to do our bit to keep ourselves as fit and healthy as possible, by making responsible lifestyle choices.
"We need to help return the NHS to a where it is needed most…to provide vital care and treatment for the next 75 years and beyond, for our children and our children’s children.”
To find out more visit https://rch100.co.uk/medical-writers-club/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here