19 Sep 2007
Commenting on the LGA's letter to council leaders about the Comprehensive Spending Review, Bryan Stoten, chairman of the NHS Confederation which represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations, said:
"The NHS Confederation wants to see a good settlement in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) for both the NHS and local government. The answer is not to rob Peter to pay Paul. Predictions are that the NHS, as well as local government, is potentially facing a no real terms growth in its budget in the CSR.
"It is true that we face a huge demographic challenge in terms of an increasingly elderly population and it is of course sensible to invest money in preventative services. This will require a concerted effort from both health and local government. Local government and the NHS have a statutory duty of partnership which has only recently been strengthened and need to use this to improve local services by working closely together.
"However, it is simplistic to suggest that taking money away from one public organisation - the NHS - and giving it to another - local government - is the solution. The NHS not only deals with the longer term problems of preventative care, they also deal with the immediate healthcare needs of their local population. Partisan solutions will not work"
The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% 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.
Contact Joanna Clason (media relations manager) 020 7074 3306 or 077 9857 1078, Niall Smith 020 7074 3304 or 077 6777 0309 or Ruth Kennedy 020 7074 3312 or 078 8447 3086. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
Last reviewed 19 Sep 2007