June 2008

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June 2008

Dear Colleague,

The NHS has just turned sixty, so it's a good moment to take stock of how healthcare is delivered in the UK. In this month's issue David Boyle argues that to meet the needs of 21st century patients, the NHS needs to change itself from an 'illness' to a 'wellness' service.

Dr Michael Dixon has ideas about how this can be done in his new paper, Returning the soul to medicine. He invites your comments on his vision of integrated practice.

We also offer a very practical opportunity to transform healthcare: the 2008 Bravewell Fellowship. GPs and GP academics have until Friday 18th July to apply for this innovative part-time course in integrative medicine, which includes online components and three residential weeks in Tucson, Arizon.

Meanwhile Paul Clitheroe, a charity manager in Liverpool has been working on the ultimate grassroots healthy living campaign - where micro-knowledge of neighbourhoods can help people spread wellness virally through their communities.

Finally Dr John Moore looks at a problem that's undoubtedly grown over the past 60 years: depression. He explores the effectiveness of anti-depressant drugs and looks at the other options that 'Mr Average GP' might suggest.

News

	2008 Bravewell Fellowship The American healthcare philanthropists, Bravewell, have created an acclaimed course for doctors who want to develop integrated practice. Now they are offering a UK scholarship. If you're a UK-based GP or GP academic with interest and some experience in integrated medicine, apply now to develop your skills. Bravewell will pay all expenses for the 2 year distance learning course, including costs for residential learning in the States. The closing date for applications is 18 July 2008.



	Creating a National Wellness Service David Boyle is a fellow at the New Economics Foundation and co-author of Life Begins At Sixty, a discussion of how the NHS should develop over the next few years. He argues that our major challenge is growing chronic illness and that a proactive approach can reverse the trend.



	Returning the soul to medicine Dr Michael Dixon is a GP Principal at a rural practice in Collompton, Devon. A Trustee of this charity, he has been an advocate of integrated medicine for many years. His new paper argues that we need to get away from 'doc in a box' medicine and that patients do better with a 'whole person' approach to treatment. Read his piece and leave a comment.



	Health trainers in Liverpool These health trainers come from the communities they serve and are not afraid to approach people on their own territory - like the pub or the bingo hall.



	Other approaches to depression From Doing Nothing At All, to St John's Wort, our blogging GP reflects on the non-drug options GPs can explore as they work with patients with depression.

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