New minister’s pledge on public health welcomed by Unite
12th June 2009
A commitment from the new health secretary, Andy Burnham that
public health is one of his four key priorities was welcomed by
Unite, the largest union in the country.
However, Unite is concerned about the potential damaging effects
of a £2.5 billion efficiency saving that the NHS will shoulder
before 2011.
Top down efficiencies can hit ‘soft’ services such as disease
prevention.
Mr Burnham told the confederation’s annual conference that
prevention of ill health was ‘a long term insurance policy’ and
acknowledged it may not reap immediate financial rewards.
He said: "It may deliver some short term dividends, but the real
gain comes over the long term. Please do not wait for permission to
invest in prevention."
Unite national officer for health, Karen Reay, said: "Andy
Burnham’s commitment to prevention is warmly welcomed and
demonstrates that he understands the need for good public health
services which, in turn, means a fully-resourced health visitor and
community nurse workforce to implement these programmes to improve
the public health of the nation.
"However, we believe that top down efficiency savings could run
counter to this important commitment to public health. More
investment in public health, not less, is required and strategic
health authorities (SHAs) should be taking cognisance to ensure
this is the case.
"We hope that in our discussions with the Department of Health
in the months ahead that it will become clearer how this particular
circle is going to be squared."
Mr Burnham’s other priorities were quality, productivity and
innovation.
ENDS
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:
For further information, please ring:
Karen Reay, national officer, health 07798 531 004
Shaun Noble, communications officer (health sector) 020 7420
8951 or 07768 693 940
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