Our NHS is broken, but not beaten. Together we can fix it.

UKIHCA are responding to the government's call to help build a health service fit for the future. And we have plenty to say!

On behalf of the 1000s of UKIHCA members, NHS Health and Wellbeing Coaches working in primary healthcare and health coaches everywhere, we're asking you to show your support for health coaching by adding your voice to changing our healthcare system to pivot from sickness to prevention for better health for our struggling population and an NHS in crisis.

While treatments for acute and long-term conditions will always be necessary… if nothing changes in an individual’s lifestyle and health behaviour… nothing will change!?Health coaching is a unique and strongly evidence-based modality for supporting people to make lifestyle and health behaviour changes for better health.?

UKIHCA and the NHS have thousands of qualified health coaches working across every sector with an interest in supporting our population’s health. We need to use their skills, and we need more health coaches!?

We now have a golden opportunity to add our voices to the government’s ‘Change NHS: help build a health service fit for the future’ consultation to have the biggest ever conversation about the future of the NHS.?

One of the aims of the 10-Year Health Plan is a transition “from sickness to prevention” and health coaching will have a vital role to play if this shift is to be effective and, more importantly, permanent.?We ask that you express your support for the recommendations made in our recent White Paper: Towards a Healthier, Happier Britain: The Case for Health Coaching.

What can you do to help us?

This is the biggest ever conversation about the future of the NHS and the DHSC and the NHS want to hear YOUR experiences of the NHS and your ideas to help them change it via the online platform,?change.nhs.uk.?The portal will be live until the start of next year, and available via the NHS App. You can visit the portal to:

• give your views on the NHS and health and care
• tell the government what you feel is working well and what needs improving
• express your support for the recommendations made in our recent White Paper: Towards a Healthier, Happier Britain: The Case for Health Coaching
• share your experiences
• post your ideas for improving health and care in the future.

The public engagement exercise will help shape the government’s 10-Year Health Plan, which will be published in Spring 2025 and will be underlined by three big shifts in healthcare – hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.

Who can take part in this engagement and how can I have my say?

• Everyone over the age of 16 living in England
• Participation is entirely voluntary
• There are certain questions aimed at those working in the health and care sector to ensure they can share their views and experiences, and others written specifically for those who use services
• Everyone will be able to share their experiences, views and ideas via the online platform, change.nhs.uk, which will be live until early next year.

Make YOUR contribution HERE to help make significant, lasting changes to OUR National Health Service.

How long does it take and how will I know what the outcome of the engagement is? ?

• It’s expected to take most people a few minutes to complete
• You can then choose to spend a bit more time sharing an experience you’ve had, or ideas for change
• You can create a profile to return to the site
• Sign up to receive updates on the different phases of this engagement
• The 10-Year Health Plan will be published in Spring 2025.

How can you spread the word?

Once you have completed the survey, PLEASE share widely across your social networks and with your clients, friends, family and colleagues.

Spread the word and help to make sure as many people as possible engage.

To help you make it easier to spread the word to your networks, we've created an email template for you, which you can tweak as appropriate to your audience - DOWNLOAD HERE.

Thank you for taking action – our population needs us!

Health coaching can be a game changer in the workplace, helping to reduce absenteeism, improve attraction and retention, enhance the culture and the productivity of an organisation by fully integrating wellbeing and health coaching as an investment in the workforce.?

UKIHCA wants health coaching to be at the vanguard of the government’s 10-Year Health Plan, and we strongly urge you to have your say NOW to ensure representation is as wide as possible.

We opened this newsletter by declaring we had a LOT to say... check your inbox and social media platforms over the coming weeks to hear our voice!