New bid to encourage healthier lifestyles

Barnsley has one of the worst records in the country for obesity, smoking and alcohol-related ill health, and until now medical staff had been instructed to simply tell people to ditch their bad habits.

But bosses at NHS Barnsley, the primary care trust responsible for a £400m budget to improve the health of the borough’s 225,000 people, has introduced a new technique called “motivational interviewing”.

According to Hilary Mosley, a senior public health nurse at the trust, the approach leads patients to explain their problems and find solutions, while staff are taught not to “supply all the answers”.

Mrs Mosley said: “In the past we’ve been very good at telling people how they can avoid heart disease but this approach hasn’t always been successful in changing behaviours.

“Evidence shows that when you explore problems with patients and let them find their own solutions, results improve – both in terms of health outcomes and money saved through avoiding the need for treatment.

“Staff in front line roles speak to members of the public on a daily basis and have the perfect opportunity to help, but often don’t feel equipped or experienced enough to confidently give support.

“The training has addressed these issues and we’re confident it will help us support many more people to live longer and happier lives.”

Barnsley PCT said the project was part of its long-term health improvement plans for the borough, which focus on supporting people to look after their own health.

Staff from Sheffield’s Hallam University were selected to work with the trust’s staff to develop their skills in delivering the new approach.