Cry for Health: More Than Half of Brits Want to Take Control of Their Healthcare

Research Suggests More Than Half of The Nation Wants to Take Control of Their Own Health

FINDINGS COME AS NHS DATA SUGGESTS 1 IN 3 WAITING SIX+ WEEKS FOR IMPORTANT DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

  • Findings suggest 54% of UK adults would like to be more in control of their healthcare
  • 78% would feel confident conducting at home health tests as a result of using lateral flow tests during the Covid-19 pandemic
  • 24% have put off seeking medical advice until they have no other option

 

On the eve of the third anniversary of the first UK lockdown, which saw words like “social distancing” and “self-testing” enter everyday language, new research reveals the appetite and potential for more home testing. This comes at a time when 30% of us are having to wait six or more weeks for diagnostics tests via the NHS, with almost 200,000 having to wait more than 13 weeks for one of the NHS’ key diagnostics tests.

 

The data from newfoundland, a leading provider of diagnostic tests and medical devices, shows 54% of us agree that events of recent years have made us want to take more control of our healthcare. It also reveals two thirds of the nation (67%) are worried about the length of time it takes to get an NHS appointment, with 14% having held off getting tests because the NHS is overburdened. Additionally, and worryingly, approximately one in eight (13%) say they know someone who has received a late health diagnosis which impacted their treatment options.

 

To help ease the NHS demands and discourage people taking to the internet to find diagnosis, newfoundland has released a new range of rapid at home tests that allows people to equip themselves with potentially lifesaving health knowledge. The tests allow the nation to check for specific illnesses, diseases, deficiencies, and hormone levels in the comfort of their own home including bowel cancer, prostate cancer, and influenza, as well as vitamin D deficiency, iron deficiency and menopause.

Interest in at home tests is already high, with 78% of people feeling more confident conducting them having used lateral flow tests during the pandemic, with testing for cholesterol (36%); Vitamin D deficiency (33%); iron deficiency (32%); cancers, such as bowel and prostate (30%); and intolerances or allergies (28%), topping the list the nation would most like to be able to perform at home.

On the findings, frontline NHS doctor and author of Your Health In Your Hands, Dr Emeka Okorocha, said: “The pandemic has played a huge role in how seriously we take our health. With lateral flow tests becoming a normal part of daily life, it’s no surprise that more of the nation is open to at home testing for a myriad of health concerns.

“At home testing is a great first step towards taking control of your health, as well as alleviating some of the pressure on the NHS. By going to your GP armed with a test result, you can speed up the process of diagnosis, saving both NHS time and, in some cases, allowing you to spot more serious health conditions early enough that treatments are much more effective.”

Fredrick Manduca, co-founder of newfoundland, said: “It’s great to see that the nation is taking its health seriously. Our mission at newfoundland is to put the power of knowledge in people’s hands, allowing them to be more in control of their health and to be a bigger part of the conversation.

“The hope is that by promoting a self-testing culture, we can help lessen the burden on the NHS when it comes to diagnostic testing, ultimately reducing the wait time and helping to save lives in turn.”

newfoundland’s tests are available in selected Tesco stores and via www.newfoundland.io. All newfoundland tests offer an accuracy of more than 97%.

Scott Calland

Scott Calland is a highly regarded content specialist with an English Degree. He has a passion for creating compelling content as a UK journalist that engages, informs, and entertains readers. With over 10 years of experience in creating news publications as a reporter, Scott has developed a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of how to craft content that resonates with audiences. Working closely with data analysts Scott’s research on topics is unrivalled for latest news updates.

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