Highlighting councils’ vital role in improving the nation’s health
A nationwide conversation about the future of the NHS has begun, and it is crucial that the local government voice is heard.
‘Change NHS’ is seeking views on three key shifts: from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and treatment to prevention.
While councils play a key role in reducing pressure on healthcare systems, it’s equally important to recognise their role in working at place and neighbourhood level to improve health and wellbeing outcomes and address inequalities.
We know that health is about more than healthcare, and local authorities are vital in addressing the wider determinants of health through our role in housing, green spaces, youth services and the local economy.
We plan, commission, and provide essential services including social care, public health, and children’s services – all key to preventing ill-health and improving the overall health and wellbeing of our communities.
The NHS is one of local government’s most important partners. What each side does can impact the other; often positively, sometimes not.
This national consultation exercise is therefore crucial for the future of health, social care and wellbeing locally.
The NHS plays a key role in helping us to live the lives we want to lead, but it cannot do it alone.
As the Government moves forward with plans for the NHS’s future, including the creation of a neighbourhood health service, this must be matched by a long-term, well-funded plan for social care.
We cannot afford to let it fall behind.
This consultation is an opportunity to showcase the fantastic work that councils are already doing, especially in relation to prevention and tackling inequalities.
Those services that intervene earlier in people’s lives and reduce the need for later acute and reactive spend are vital to people living fulfilled, happy and productive lives.
They are also vital to addressing the drag on our economy from socioeconomic inequality and poor health.
Ministers want to use the Change NHS consultation to help shape their 10-year NHS plan (expected in spring 2025) and, recognising the important role of local government, LGA Chief Executive Joanna Killian is co-chairing one of the working groups, on mobilising change.
The Government has invited all of us – the public, health and care staff, and local government partners – to share our experiences, views and ideas.
You can help ensure the voice of local government is heard by submitting an organisational response by 2 December.
Please highlight successful initiatives and what you need from the 10-year plan to achieve even more.
We would especially encourage you to reflect on practical preventative interventions (including public health); neighbourhood hubs and approaches that bring health and council services together; and ways of working between social care and NHS that promote ‘home first’.
You can also encourage staff and residents to share their ideas through the online platform.
And you can partner with your local health and wellbeing board and integrated care partnership to submit responses.
Finally, to ensure the LGA’s response accurately reflects the sector’s priorities and best practices, please also share your emerging responses to the consultation with us by emailing [email protected] so we can reflect these.
The more voices we have, the stronger our message, so let’s ensure local government is heard loud and clear.