The current healthcare system is based predominantly on a sick-care model: it is one that waits until we have fallen ill. The system is trying to deal with a rise in demand from an ever-more diverse population with increasing complexity of needs and conditions and higher expectations from health services. Healthcare costs have been rapidly rising over the past few decades. We face unprecedented challenges with staff shortages predicted to be 18m by 2030. Our one-size-fits-all approach to health doesn’t work: the demand for a more efficient, personalised delivery model is growing.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has pushed the world’s health systems, health workforce, social and political systems to their limits, and sometimes beyond. It has also exposed underlying health inequality and the fragility of some systems. However, the response across the world to the COVID-19 pandemic has also demonstrated the amazing achievements that are possible when governments, communities and people work together against common challenges. We have seen astonishing examples of high quality healthcare delivery in extremely challenging circumstances, and the resilience of governments, healthcare systems and people.

 

In a world operating beyond the pandemic, traditional approaches to health and wellbeing might no longer be enough.