Older people as health service consumers 2: health and illness in a village context

Involving users in the future shaping and development of health care services is part of the drive to restore public confidence in the NHS (NHS Executive 2002). A fundamental part of this process is working in partnership with patients, and attempting to include marginalized groups. Illness, infirmity and lack of knowledge may prevent older people from being actively involved in decisions about health care services, and the culture to which they belong may act as a further barrier. For true partnership and patient involvement, there needs to be a common understanding of the meaning of health and illness. This article discusses the prevailing cultural health beliefs within an elderly, white village community in South England