NEWFOUNDLAND DIAGNOSTICS APPOINTS DR HILARY JONES TO ADVISORY ROLE
NEWFOUNDLAND DIAGNOSTICS APPOINTS DR HILARY JONES TO ADVISORY ROLE
LEADING UK MEDICAL EXPERT TO ENCOURAGE NATION TO TAKE CONTROL OF HEALTH THROUGH SELF-TESTING
London, June 2024: Newfoundland Diagnostics, a leading UK provider of diagnostic tests and medical devices, has announced the appointment of renowned medical expert Dr Hilary Jones to an advisory role. Dr Hilary will work with Newfoundland Diagnostics to educate and encourage the nation to take control of their health through at-home testing.
His appointment comes as new research finds Brits avoid seeing their doctor due to lack of available appointments, embarrassment and lack of trust.
Newfoundland Diagnostics’ research reveals that appointments taking too long to book (28%) and embarrassment around their illnesses (15%) top the list of reasons Brits avoid seeing their doctor. Other reasons include not having time (10%), and lack of trust in the NHS or their GP (7%). Delaying care often allows conditions to worsen untreated, resulting in more severe cases that place greater strain on the NHS.
While self-testing gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still clear educational gaps that need to be addressed.
Newfoundland Diagnostics’ latest findings reveal that more than a quarter of Brits believe at-home tests can only be prescribed by a medical professional, despite tests being readily available in major supermarkets and pharmacies across the UK.
Further findings reveal the nation's top reasons for avoiding going to the doctors, with appointments taking too long to book (28%) and embarrassment around their illnesses (15%) topping the list. Delaying care often allows conditions to worsen untreated, resulting in more severe cases that place greater strain on the NHS.
In his advisory position, Dr Hilary will leverage his medical expertise to raise awareness and break down barriers around self-testing through media appearances, educational content and more. He will help inform the public on a wide range of health issues – from high cholesterol and bowel health to HIV and fertility – breaking down how affordable at-home tests can empower individuals on their health journeys.
As a respected GP, broadcaster and author, Dr Hilary brings decades of medical experience to underscore the benefits of proactive health monitoring. He will collaborate with Newfoundland Diagnostics to promote affordable at-home testing, encouraging the nation to identify health issues early when treatment can be most effective.
The partnership comes at a critical time, with 1 in 4 Brits resorting to A&E services as they cannot secure GP appointments due to healthcare system constraints. By making diagnostic tests more available, the collaboration aims to help alleviate strain on the NHS while enabling earlier intervention to save lives.
On his role, Dr Hilary Jones, 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."
Frederick Manduca, Newfoundland Diagnostics co-founder, said: "It’s surprising how many across the country believe that at-home testing is inaccessible despite their ubiquity during the pandemic.
"We're honoured to have Dr Hilary lending his trusted voice and medical expertise to drive awareness about our easy-to-use, affordable at-home tests. His advisory role will be invaluable in empowering the nation to embrace these tests as a pathway to accessible healthcare. Early identification can be life-saving."
Top 5 reasons Brits avoid going to the doctors to test for an issue:
- Takes too long to book an appointment (28%)
- It's embarrassing (15%)
- I would rather test at home (12%)
- I don't have time (10%)
- I don't trust the NHS or my GP (7%)
Editor Details
-
Name:
- pharmiweb
