FSRH consultation response: FSRH and FPH joint submission on the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020

Posted 23 September 2020

Date: 23 Sep 2020

Type: FSRH Consultation Responses

FSRH and the Faculty of Public Health have today submitted a representation to the Treasury on the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020. We make the case for long-term, sustainable investment in Public Health and Education & Training.

In our joint submission, we argue that prevention is effective in improving or maintaining health and represents good value for money. 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.

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 demand.

We also argue that funding for Education & Training, at a minimum, must be restored, so as to support the workforce who is to deliver the NHS Long-Term Plan.

Read the full submission here.