London’s health services are now treating patients earlier before their health problems get worse – helping to reduce NHS waiting lists and make healthcare work better for everyone.

The government announced the 10 Year Health Plan in July which will help patients take better control of their health and tackle issues like obesity and harmful drinking, expanding free nutritious school meals and increasing HPV vaccinations.

Dr. Chris Streather, Chief Medical Director for the NHS in London, said: “By taking steps to prevent ill health and identify risks early, we can improve patient care, avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, and ease the strain on our services.”

“It is encouraging to see the work already being done, by and for Londoners, to improve health across the capital. Our focus on preventative care, not only aims to boost health for everyone, but will ensure the NHS is sustainable into the future.”

In Lewisham, the Proactive Ageing Well Service (PAWS) offers comprehensive health assessments for people aged 65 and over, evaluating physical, mental and social health.

By identifying patients’ health issues early, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust’s specialist Ageing Well team can develop personalised care plans to avoid preventable problems like falls, confusion, and unnecessary hospital visits.

The Ageing Well team, consisting of a consultant doctor and nursing or therapy practitioners, work closely with patients to discuss any health concerns and develop a plan of care that fits their lifestyles and preferences. Their goal is to help South Londoners to stay in their own home and remain as independent as possible.

Debbie Joyce, PAWS Lead at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, said: “We set up PAWS almost a year ago to support our patients with long-term conditions to manage their health and reduce their hospital attendances. We are seeing great results for patients that need a more holistic approach to care, helping to deliver the shift from sickness to prevention.”

A key mission of the 10 Year Health Plan is to identify common diseases early and provide effective intervention for individuals at the highest risk of developing them.

Offering weekly drop-in sessions at Brixton Library and Lewisham Shopping Centre, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) are bringing testing closer to populations at higher risk of Hepatitis B, including people from African and Caribbean communities.

This preventative testing is allowing South Londoners to access information about Hepatitis B and C, to identify the often symptomless disease and minimise its long-term health impacts.

Kathryn Oakes, Clinical Nurse Specialist at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “While community Hepatitis C testing has been available for a number of years, we are delighted to now be able to provide free and confidential Hepatitis B testing to local communities where we know there is an increased risk.

“The Hepatitis B and C viruses often do not have any symptoms, which means thousands of people are living with viral hepatitis without realising it. With the right care and monitoring, people living with Hepatitis B can lead full and healthy lives. That’s why it’s so important to get tested and know your status.”

The shift from sickness to prevention is helping to tackle major causes of illness which combined cost the NHS billions of pounds, unnecessarily, each year. For more information, read the full 10 Year Health Plan here.