LGA Response To NHS England’s Five Year Plan

The LGA has released a statement in response to NHS England setting out its five-year plan in a document entitled, ‘Forward View’.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board said:

“Many of the messages in this report strongly echo our own proposals set out in our first 100 days pledge for the next parliament. In particular, the urgent need to put greater focus on prevention and the recognition that integration is the most sustainable model for health and social care.

“Effective and adequately-funded local government is fundamental to the sustainability of the health services. Without effective public health services promoting prevention, the NHS will continue to have to deal with a rising tide of disease and ill-health related to smoking, alcohol and obesity. Without adequately funded adult social care services, Accident and & Emergency admissions to hospital will continue to rise. It is crucial that funding for adult social care is protected going forward.

“We welcome the recognition that Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) provide local leadership of the health and care system but there needs to be greater consideration of how health services will be held to account locally. Local NHS leaders are already working with elected members and community voice organisations in HWBs to ensure that health care is aligned to local needs and local service provision. The NHS will need to involve and co-produce new service models with elected members and communities.

“Local government has long recognised the importance of social care and health integration for improving people’s lives by keeping them out of hospital and living in their communities for longer.

“At a time when local government funding has been cut by 40 per cent, and pressure on vital services continues to grow, volunteers are playing an increasingly vital role in working alongside councils to protect and improve the services we provide. A community contribution discount would not only recognise the fantastic work volunteers do, but could help save the public purse many millions more than it costs.

“The LGA is now urging political parties to include a commitment to fund community contributions discounts in their election manifestos.”