Recommendation 21

In respect of the need for a preventive approach to reduce the risk of costly acute interventions at a later date, the Committee is mindful that the Parliament and its committees have repeatedly called for such a decisive shift, dating back at least as far as the publication of the Christie Commission’s report on the delivery of essential services in 2011. The Committee recognises the challenges in moving towards such an approach, not least in terms of its costs and the need for disinvestment in other services, but is clear that such a shift would result in longer-term savings thereby freeing up resource for much needed investment in other priorities. We are disappointed that the pace of change has been slow and recommend that greater emphasis is placed on the urgent need for prevention.