The IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity have outlined a series of proposed reforms to improve the health and prosperity of the UK following a three-year investigation.
The commission, led by esteemed experts in health such as Lord Darzi and Lord Bethell, have suggested the creation of “neighbourhood health centres” in every part of the country, focused on prevention. Providing communities with easy access to diagnostics, primary care and public health resources.
The report found that losses to the workforce through long-term sickness since the pandemic will cost the UK £5 billion this year. However, improved health would save the government £18 billion a year by the mid-2030s, further underlining the economic benefits of good national health.
Lord Darzi and Health Secretary Wes Streeting spoke at the launch of the report. Lord Darzi, echoing the findings of his own report, stated he was staggered by the state of the NHS and argued that governments and businesses have viewed health as a cost rather than an investment. DHSC’s new focus on economic growth was a welcome shift.
Mr Streeting claimed the report vindicated Labour’s approach to reforming the NHS. Reform is not only required in the NHS, but in public health too. Pleasingly, he highlighted the role that life sciences will play in the Government’s plans, and stressed that joint private-public partnership will be key to the reform agenda.
You can read the full report here.
