Rethinking Medicine – the patient’s perspective

A growing number of doctors and patients are questioning whether modern medicine has overstretched itself. The medical model focuses on pathology and clinical markers of disease rather than quality of life or wellbeing. This model alone is not enough to address many of the multiple and complex challenges that people face with their health and wellbeing. Tomorrow’s health professionals will need to be different to today’s; they will need to understand how to provide compassionate, coordinated person-centred care. It’s time to rethink medicine.

National Voices has been involved in the Rethinking Medicine initiative in England since it began last year. This event is an opportunity for members to engage with the initiative and discuss how we can be involved in bringing patient perspectives into the debate.

It will also be the first across-the-nations discussion on how England can learn from established initiatives in other countries.

Speakers

We will be joined by leaders of the Rethinking Medicine initiative in England, and similar initiatives in Scotland and Wales. Speakers include:

• Angela Coulter – UK-based health policy analyst and researcher with special interests in patient and public involvement.
• Carrie MacEwen – Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
• Sally Lewis – National Clinical Lead for Value-based Care in Wales and GP of 18 years.
• Gregor Smith – Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Scotland and GP
• Martin Marshall – Vice Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Professor of Healthcare Improvement at UCL, th Programme Director for Primary Care at UCL Partners, and GP of 28 years.
• Alf Collins – Clinical Director for Personalised Care, NHS England/Improvement

We will also hear from expert patients throughout the event on why we need to rethink medicine.

We’ll cover:

• What is Rethinking Medicine?
• What are its implications for the voluntary sector and person-centred care?
• Do charities have a role in Rethinking Medicine? What are charities already doing?
• How can we make sure the initiative is firmly grounded in the realities of people’s experiences of health and healthcare?
• What do you think the initiative should be doing?
• Where are other countries in the four nations doing this well? Examples of ‘good’ from Scotland and Wales.

People with lived experience

Members are welcome to bring people with lived experience and patient reps to the event. However National Voices will be unable to cover any expenses. Please select the ‘person with lived experience’ ticket type.

Agenda

1:30-2pm – registration for a 2pm sharp start

2pm – Welcome address from National Voices’ new CEO, Charlotte Augst.

2.10-3.15pm – Scene setting and discussion

What is Rethinking Medicine? Angela Coulter will explore why we need to rethink medicine from the patient’s perspective, followed by a panel discussion. Members are invited to ask questions and share thoughts.

3:15-3:45pm – Networking break

3:45-5pm – Across-the-nations discussion

What are Scotland and Wales already doing to rethink the medical model and make a personalised approach to care possible?

Gregor Smith will talk about the Realistic Medicine initiative in Scotland, Sally Lewis will talk about the Prudent Healthcare initative in Wales, and Martin Marshall will share initial reflections from the English initiative. This will be followed by a facilitated panel discussion where members are again invited to ask questions.