The Government has rejected calls to increase the proportion of funding spent on preventing ill-health – a decision described as “disappointing” by the LGA.
Former health secretary Patricia Hewitt published her independent review of integrated care systems (ICSs) in April, in which she made a series of recommendations, including increasing the proportion of spending on prevention by 1 per cent a year.
The Government’s response, published in June, outlines the steps the Department of Health and Social care will take over the coming months, working with NHS England and local health and care systems, to support learning and improvement and join up care for patients and communities.
However, it rejects the health prevention recommendation.
Cllr David Baines, Vice-Chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “The LGA is largely supportive of the recommendations of the Hewitt Review to government, in particular those that proposed a significant reduction in the number of national targets for ICSs, and the clear focus on prevention as a priority for ICSs.
“We are therefore disappointed that the Government has rejected the Hewitt Review suggestion to grow the proportion of funding spent on prevention by 1 per cent per year.
“Without resources specifically earmarked for prevention, we will not see the radical step change in NHS investment that is required to turn the curve on a growing burden of ill-health and long-term conditions.
“While the response recognises the value of sector-led improvement, we are also somewhat disappointed that the Government has not given an explicit commitment to supporting the development of a peer-led approach for ICS leaders.”