Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Deferred
Inadequate definition and tracking of prevention spending impedes accurate assessment of policy progress.
Conclusion
Currently, NHSE does not even track spend and activity on prevention by ICBs at local levels, due to unavailability of data and the lack of consistency about what counts as prevention spending. While DHSC funds some prevention activities that sit outside the NHS, primarily through its Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), it similarly lacks a precise definition of what counts as prevention spending. This makes assessing the extent of spending and progress against this important policy aim impossible.39
Government Response Summary
The government states that defining health prevention spend could enable a shift from sickness to prevention, and that this recommendation will be considered in the context of developing the 10 Year Health Plan.
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.