Press release: NHS Confederation comment on public health spending

12 Sep 2006

Nigel Edwards, Director of Policy at the NHS Confederation, said:

"Primary care trusts have a wide range of priorities to address - particularly the need to achieve financial balance which the government has made clear is the top priority.

"So whilst unfortunate, it is perhaps understandable that at this point in time funding for public health is under pressure.

"The NHS Confederation has called for a separate investment fund for health improvement. This should help to avoid the situation where longer-term projects are squeezed by the more immediate demands of running a health service.

"Currently, initiatives to improve long-term health of communities compete for resources with day-to-day service provision. They should not be considered as alternatives as both are needed."

ENDS

Notes for editors

The NHS Confederation represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

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