Interview with Tony Blair continued

handbag.com talks to Tony Blair on the eve of the big health push about the government's new health and fitness push to the public as well as how he is keeping fit

Considering you will be handing over leadership within a year, it could be said that this initiative is simply a way to boost your profile before you step down. Can you really see this being carried on after your departure? Do you have any cross-party support with this?
I think first of all, if I was to say that before I step down I have to save the health and fitness problems of the nation, I might be here for a few decades yet! This isn't a party political issue. I think it's going to be a big part of the agenda for whatever government is in power. I think what's important is that we realise that, looking to the healthcare systems of the future, it's got to be about keeping people fit and healthy, as well as curing people when they're sick because there's no alternative to that.

If you just look at the new treatments that are coming in, the technology that's going to allow people to live longer, the procedures that are more expensive although very beneficial for people, you're going to have to do the maximum possible to have people taking some personal responsibility for their own health and fitness.

With the recent debate over the availability of breast cancer drug Herceptin, with some women not being able to access it despite it being prescribed to them on the NHS, how does this fit in with the Government helping people to help themselves?
That's a slightly different issue because the thing with Herceptin -as I understand, and I'm not an expert at all - is that we have to abide by the advice that's given to us by the independent people. But there are some people for whom Herceptin is very helpful and certain types of breast cancer for which it is very helpful, but then there are certain types where it isn't, and you have to be careful there. But essentially, if we are advised that a treatment is right for people, then we make it available - we try to make it available nationwide.

I think the most difficult thing for people is that nowadays they are more conscious of the choices that they make and the importance of these choices. I think most people get it in that sense. I think what's difficult sometimes, apart from the issues that have to do with general self-discipline - which is always, you know, tough - but it's the accessing of the facilities, particularly for physical fitness. I think it's all very well if you're reasonably well off, if you're near a gym and you can join up fairly easily. But I think if you're in a more difficult part of town it's quite hard. That's why apart from expanding them, we are trying to make these types of facilities more available to people.

When ill health is more to do with low self-esteem, as it is with many women, how do you make someone with very little confidence go to get help in the first place? Because even if facilities are open and you give them the information, they might not have the confidence to do it. How do you tackle that, and what kind of support can these people get?
They will actually get support now within the system with Health Trainers. They can go to their GP now and get some help and realise they'd feel a lot more confident if they were doing some of these things. It's a downward spiral.

It's also this issue – actually, my own personal experience in this is has played a part in it - I think part of it is actually persuading people that you do feel better and it's good to feel better. People say, 'You do this and you'll be more healthy,' and that kind of sounds very virtuous. I think one of the things we have to be careful of in this is trying to make this some sort of social task that you're forking out for. There are real reasons why it's important that people take this seriously. But the fact is you feel better. You eat better, you feel better.

The workshops the Government are doing around the country to promote better health in local communities are saying it is the small changes that make big differences. Is this really true?
What this woman at Cambridge said was really interesting. This professor did a very big study for the whole of Europe and actually showed that even small changes like an extra piece of fruit a day, or walking somewhere or even taking the stairs and not the lift make a substantial difference...

At this point, one of the minders in the room interrupts to say it's time for the Prime Minister to go. 'Ah, yes,' he laughs, looking slightly sheepish after all this health talk as we quickly say our goodbyes. 'I, erm, have to go to the car now!'

To find out more on what the Government has planned for health in England visit Health Challenge England - Choosing Health the Next Steps at www.dh.gov.uk/choosinghealth

Want to see the health profile of your area? See the Health Profile of England at www.communityhealthprofiles.info

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