Significant challenges remain for public health services – LGA on public health settlement

Commenting on the publication of the 2023/24 grant for local public health services, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said:

“It is good that councils finally have clarity on their public health spending for the next year, but this settlement means councils still face significant challenges as they try to meet soaring demand for their services.

“As a country, we face an unavoidable choice; invest more in preventative action or keep paying the social and economic consequences of not doing so. At a time when NHS and social care pressures are greater than ever, vital sexual health, drug, alcohol and health visiting services cannot keep living a hand-to-mouth existence, with insufficient resources to meet this demand and late announcements about funding.

“An increased focus on prevention through an uplift to the Public Health grant is needed, as well as a wider review of the adequacy of public health funding. This will support the Government’s wider aims by improving health outcomes, reducing health spending and putting the NHS on a better footing for the long term.”