10 June 2024 , 09:50
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Dr Hilary Jones says a habit many of us had to get used to during the Covid pandemic could now help the nation stay healthy. The broadcaster and GP says we should all be getting used to self-testing, as we did for Covid, to check for a range of illnesses.
Dr Hilary was speaking as new research found the reasons we are not seeing a GP - as 28% say it takes too long to book an appointment and 15% are too embarrassed to tell a doctor what is wrong. People also cited not having time and a lack of trust in the NHS or their GP as reasons for not asking a doctor for help or advice.
Dr Hilary said: "At-home testing has the potential to be a game-changer for easing the strain on our NHS, but we need more Brits to embrace self-testing. By empowering people to routinely monitor their health and identify issues early, we can significantly reduce unnecessary GP and A&E visits for conditions that could be caught sooner through self-testing. This frees up critical medical resources for those most in need of urgent care.
"The accessibility of at-home tests means people no longer have to delay getting checked due to challenges like appointment shortages or feeling embarrassed about their symptoms. They can take that first step through self-testing in their own home before deciding if they truly need to book an in-person visit.
"The key is getting the nation to adopt self-testing as that first step. Self-tests provide patients with key diagnostic information they can then share with their doctor for more informed, effective treatment plans. Catching issues like high cholesterol, fertility problems or potential cancers at an earlier stage leads to better health outcomes and potentially saving lives."
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Frederick Manduca, Co-Founder of Newfoundland Diagnostics, said: "It’s surprising how many across the country believe that at-home testing is inaccessible despite their ubiquity during the pandemic.
Dr Hilary has joined forces with Newfoundland Diagnostics to promote at-home testing for everything from Strep, HIV and UTIs to bowel health, prostate health, fertility, allergies, stomach ulcers, vitamin deficiencies and gout.