29-01-2025
“The Public Accounts Committee ‘NHS financial sustainability’ report exposes the short-term perspectives and inadequacies of financial planning that risk jeopardising the NHS's financial resilience. It also shows how political targets, and daily pressures, delay progress on the government’s three shifts to community, prevention and digital."
In response to the Public Accounts Committee report on ‘NHS financial sustainability’, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's (CIPFA) Policy Manager Health and Integration Dr Eleanor Roy, said:
“CIPFA welcomes the Committee’s recommendations on financial planning and the broader NHS financial regime, which align with our calls for a comprehensive review of the NHS funding and finance system. As the 10-year plan develops, we urge the government to prioritise the finance, contracting and physical infrastructure workstreams. These elements are crucial for the successful implementation of the plan and for improving productivity.
“We also welcome the recognition of the need for greater flexibility and autonomy for local systems. This is essential for cross-sector collaboration, tailored to local circumstances to drive the shift towards community-based care and prevention.
“CIPFA applauds the Committee’s recommendation to urgently define and identify preventative spend. This missing puzzle piece is a major barrier to shifting focus toward prevention. Without knowing current levels of preventative spend, it is impossible to determine the extent of the shift required, or the mechanisms needed to achieve it. This is precisely the issue CIPFA seeks to address through our work with The Health Foundation on preventative investment in local government. Gaining a clear picture across the NHS would not only improve decision-making regarding preventative spend but also help to identify where cross-agency collaboration could have the greatest impact.”
Notes to editor
- Read the Public Accounts Committee report on ‘NHS financial sustainability’.
- Find out more about CIPFA and The Health Foundation’s Exploring preventative investment in local government.
- For more information, please contact the CIPFA Press Office press@cipfa.org.