DOCTORS’ leaders warned yesterday that the UK is facing a ticking time bomb in public health, with a lack of leadership on improving the nation’s health risking the future sustainability of the NHS, and public health budgets facing a cut of £400 million from 2015/16 to 2020/21.
This comes as obesity rates remain stubbornly high across the UK, nearly one in six adults still smoke, and 7.8 million adults binge drink. A series of papers on public health published today by the BMA find that:
Commitments to prioritise prevention and public health are not matched by funding. In England, public health expenditure accounts for approximately 5 per cent of total health spending, mainly provided through the public health grant.
Following an in-year cut of £200 million in 2015, there will be a further cut of £400 million between 2015/16 and 2020/21 (with real terms cash allocations decreasing from £3.47 billion to £3.07 billion).
Cuts to public health budgets have been described as a false economy, undermining a prevention-based approach and costing the NHS more in the long term. For example, many cases of type 2 diabetes are entirely preventable through public health approaches, yet, its prevalence is increasing year-on-year in the UK.
In 2010/11, the cost across the UK was estimated at £8.8 billion, and is predicted to rise to almost double, £15.1 billion by 2035/2036. The cuts are impacting on patient care in accessing vital services. One in four local authorities reduced spending on sexual health services by more than 20 per cent between 2013/14 and 2015/16.
Nearly 60 per cent of local authorities in England cut smoking cessation budgets last year, despite smoking being the biggest cause of preventable death in every part of England. Cuts are occurring despite the fact that investing in public health and prevention activities is cost-effective. It is estimated that, on average, £14.30 is saved for every £1 invested in local and national public health interventions.
Commenting, Dr Mark Porter, BMA council chair, said: ‘When it comes to public health, the UK is going backwards. Prevention is better than cure and cuts to public health have a damaging impact on individuals’ health and wellbeing, and end up costing the NHS more in the long term.
‘Whoever is in government next, must make tackling the crisis in public health a priority. With the NHS at breaking point, and demand on services only set to rise we are facing a ticking time bomb.’
