FSRH call for increased Public Health spending in Budget 2021
Date: 14 Jan 2021
Type: FSRH Consultation Responses
FSRH have today submitted a representation to the Treasury on the Budget 2021. We make the case for long-term, sustainable investment in Public Health, Education and Training.
In our submission, we argue for renewed investment into preventative healthcare services. Investing in Public Health and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare is highly cost-effective: Public Health England (PHE) estimates that for every £1 spent on publicly funded contraception, £9 is saved in averted direct public sector costs. Yet, Public Health budgets were cut by a total of £800 million between 2015 and 2020. Far greater investment is needed to restore sustainable Public Health funding.
We point out the existing consensus by a large portion of the medical profession that an increase in Public Health spending is necessary to support a sustainable health and social care system. Without long-term investment in Public Health, the NHS risks failing to meet increased demand.
We also argue that funding for Education and Training must be restored to support the workforce to deliver the NHS Long-Term Plan.