NHS patients ‘may be routinely quizzed about lifestyle’

New proposals from the government's NHS advisers suggest patients should be routinely questioned about their lifestyle choices when they see healthcare staff.

In response to rising rates of obesity, cancer and alcohol abuse, the NHS Future Forum is proposing that all medical professionals should follow a policy of making 'every contact count' by enquiring about aspects of patients' personal behaviour.

The concept will be central to a new report commissioned by health secretary Andrew Lansley, expected to be published via the Department of Health on January 10th 2012.

Professor Stephen Field, head of the NHS Future Forum, told the Guardian that health staff should  make regular checkups and procedures an "opportunity to talk to you about your diet, smoking, alcohol intake and how much exercise you're taking, discuss any anxieties you may have about these, and offer advice and support".

He argued that the growing cost of unhealthy lifestyle choices to the NHS means staff must now encourage "a cultural shift" by addressing such issues, even if they are unrelated to the reason behind a patient's visit.