Government rejects recommendation to increase spend on prevention

In its response to an independent review of integrated care systems (ICS), the Government has rejected a recommendation to increase the proportion of the budget that it spends on prevention activity.

The Hewitt Report, recommended that the share of the NHS budget at ICS level that is spent on prevention be increased by at least 1% over the next five years.

In its response, the Government said that although it felt that the NHS should “…increasingly shift towards implementing evidence-based interventions to help improve prevention and support healthier life expectancy…”, it did not agree with a shift in spending.

Reflecting on the Government’s response, Tara Dillon CEO of CIMSPA said,

“I am hugely disappointed in this incredibly short-sighted decision from Government. Not allowing health care professionals, who know what’s best for their patients, to redirect spend into tried and proven prevention activity, over drug-based treatments, is completely counterproductive. This decision will continue to cost the health service millions of pounds as some underlying causes of conditions could be more effectively addressed through prevention. It appears that this is a completely arbitrary decision which isn’t connected to any of the current measures that Government is taking in their attempt to stabilise the economy. The Government urgently needs to recognise the value of the sport and physical activity sector collaborating with the health sector. Then they will be able to realise the overwhelming value that prevention work has had at a local level, on a national scale.”

CIMSPA continues to work with a range of partners who support regional and local prevention projects designed to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and whole communities.

There is a significant amount of research which shows the incredibly positive impact that physical activity can have, not only on preventing the escalation of health conditions of those that present symptoms but also on the recovery of those who are being treated for conditions. In addition to the positive impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, the impact on the economy is significant with reduced recovery times and cost savings including hospital bed-days saved.

To find out more about our local partnership work, including the prevention projects that we are involved with, email partners@cimspa.co.uk.