Professor Anton Emmanuel, Commentary editor-in-chief, shares his thoughts on this latest edition of Commentary.
This edition of Commentary features two significant pieces of policy that have recently been published – the long-awaited NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England and the health challenges shown in the report, A breath of fresh air: responding to the health challenges of modern air pollution. Both have potential far-reaching impact on the work of physicians, but must also be recognised as the latest iterations of prior work on these topics.
As such, the fact that we require updated policy plans is a reflection that the previous work has to be tailored to meet the necessary outcomes in an ever-changing health landscape. Where plans flounder is in the local execution. The role of the RCP is to give perspective on behalf of its members to ensure that they are able to adopt those policies into their practice.
Coinciding with the current round of resident doctor strikes, the NHS 10 Year Health Plan's proposals for expanding training posts as well as focussing on supervision and career progression, are an important reminder that there are multiple issues beyond pay of relevance to resident staff. The RCP response summary piece in this edition highlights the importance of delivery detail and timelines if this plan is to deliver what is needed.
The lead author of A breath of fresh air, Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, summarises the importance of clean air and how to deliver that. Where this report overlaps with the 10 Year Health Plan is in two aspects: firstly in the proposal to move healthcare into the community, secondly addressing health inequalities since disadvantaged individuals often experience this in multiple domains (housing, employment, disability), all of which air pollution contributes to. Improving air quality should lead to a direct impact on the health of the nation and, hence, the pressure on hospitals.
Professor Anton Emmanuel
Medical director of publishing and Editor-in-chief, Commentary
