Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Deferred
DHSC believes prevention requires cultural and legislative change, not solely additional resource allocation.
Conclusion
DHSC told us it did not view providing more resources, or redirecting them from elsewhere, as a substantive part of the solution to the lack of progress with prevention. Instead, it considers that a shift towards prevention might be achieved through longer-term changes in culture, public attitudes and the legislative environment.36 There is a role for GPs to advise patients, and hospitals might choose to reach out into communities to carry out preventative measures.37 NHSE told us it viewed the 10-year health plan as 33 Q 29 34 C&AG’s Report, para 4.14 35 C&AG’s Report, para 4.20 36 Q32 37 Q 32 14 an opportunity to crystallise ambitions around prevention, but warned there would be difficult trade-offs to consider between actions which may only deliver a longer-term benefit and actions that meet a priority today.38
Government Response Summary
The government is considering measures for supporting the prevention shift in the context of the work of the 10 Year Health Plan and does not wish to pre-empt the content, but will consider defining health prevention spend as an enabler and will notify the Committee of the response when it is confirmed.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
5.4 Prevention is one of the 'three shifts' the Secretary of State has set out as strategic ambitions for the health systemin England. Measures for supporting the prevention shift are being considered in context of the work of the 10 Year Health Plan. The government does not wish to pre-empt the content of the 10 Year Health Plan. However, notwithstanding this, defining health prevention spend could be an enabler of the shift from sickness to prevention, and so this recommendation will be considered in the context of developing the 10 Year Health Plan. The Committee will be notified of the response to this recommendation when it is confirmed.