Government and NHS needs to work closer with councils to
co-design a modern health and care system that is rooted in
prevention, community-led solutions and long-term wellbeing – not
just hospital beds and crisis response - the Local Government
Association (LGA) says today.
The LGA said councils play a vital, unique role in shaping the
conditions for good health – from clean air and housing, to
education, employment, and early years support. But despite
crucial public health services being part of their DNA, local
government leaders say they have been sidelined in some key
reform and funding decisions.
More than 1,700 councillors, council leaders, senior officers,
politicians and organisations will gather for the start of the
LGA's Annual Conference in Liverpool today (July 1) to debate key
issues, including the NHS 10-year plan.
The LGA said it is good that the plan will set a clear and
long-term vision and defined direction for the future. Any
positive shift towards neighbourhood working is critical but must
be built on strong relationships between local government, health
and voluntary and community sector leaders.
Councils support the focus on the three shifts that government
has set out in its vision for the NHS – analogue to digital;
treatment to prevention; and hospitals to community - and share
ambitions to scale up prevention and early intervention
services.
The LGA is therefore urging ministers to set up a new
national-local coalition to help deliver these neighbourhood
health models that put prevention and place at the heart of
public services. It says this partnership would unlock
cost-effective, integrated interventions, reduce health
inequalities and create better outcomes across the
country.
Councils say key priorities for government action include
ensuring effective integration across NHS and local government;
strengthening public health leadership; and eliminating service
duplication and cost-shunting. The call follows frustration
over a lack of clarity around funding and governance, especially
concerning Integrated Care Board (ICB) reforms, safeguarding
responsibilities, and pressures on adult social care.
The ambitions of the 10 Year Plan cannot be realised in full if
we don't have an adult social care system that is financially
sustainable, funded to be properly preventative, and rooted in
personalised care and support. The Government needs to act on
adult social care in the short- and medium-term - not wait
until the Casey Commission issues its final report in 2028 - and
local government stands ready and willing to bring its
unparalleled experience and expertise to the debate.
With health services for children too often failing local
communities, a priority focus on children's services, SEND,
mental health and safeguarding provision is essential.
The LGA said public sector organisations that support health and
care also face significant challenges to make better use of
technology. It wants mandated, funded partnerships between the
NHS and local government to deliver digital innovation alongside
a resolution for systemic IT market failures for both electronic
patient record technology and local government case management
systems.
In her speech to the Annual Conference today, Cllr Louise
Gittins, Chair of the LGA, will say:
“Health does not begin in hospitals – it
begins in homes, streets, parks, and schools. The NHS cannot
deliver a healthier society on its own.
“Councils are already leading bold, local solutions that
work and are key to building a modern, joined-up system that
delivers for people.
"A Ministerial Forum, which brings together national and local
politicians, would help drive real reform – built from the ground
up, based on what our communities need and what already
works.”
Case studies
The Government wants the 10 Year Health Plan,
to deliver 3 big shifts to future-proof the NHS - from hospital
to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to
prevention.
Councils are already bringing these shifts to life. For example:
Analogue to Digital
Essex County Council:
Backed tech start-ups through a Challenge Prize, bringing digital
innovation into care and supporting 38,000 care
workers.
Sickness to Prevention
Luton Council, the first Marmot Town, is tackling health
inequalities via community-wide programmes focused on jobs,
housing, and early years.
Hospital to Community
Bradford Council delivered £47,000 per-person NHS savings through
housing-led support for patients discharged from
hospital.
Notes to Editors
The production of a 10-year NHS plan is a
major opportunity for the local government sector to help shape
the decade-long plan. Read our submission to the NHS
10-year plan consultation published last year.
