NHS leaders welcome Welsh Government’s ambitions for prevention agenda

Responding to the Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health’s oral statement on their priorities, assistant director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, Nesta Lloyd-Jones, said:

“We welcome the Welsh Government’s ambition to make the fundamental shift from treating ill health to preventing it and its clear commitment to tackling the root causes of poor health and inequalities through a truly cross-government approach across the wider determinants of health. This includes housing, education, transport, the economy and access to culture, sport and green spaces.

“Commitments such as creating a dedicated minister for public health and prevention, reviewing health inequalities in Wales, exploring dedicated preventative spending options and aligning policy across government reflect many of the priorities we have called for on behalf of NHS leaders.

“The NHS does not have all the levers to improve people’s health and wellbeing, and health inequalities alone currently cost acute NHS services in Wales an estimated £322 million each year. Without a meaningful shift towards prevention and early intervention, the projected demand and financial pressures on health and social care, and the impact on people in communities across Wales, will be unsustainable. 

“Our recent explainer, developed with Public Health Wales, examines how local authority planning decisions affect health and wellbeing and sets out practical recommendations for creating healthier, more sustainable and resilient communities. This is a prime example of how sectors and decisions made outside of the NHS can have a considerable impact on our health and wellbeing.

“There is a clear opportunity to work in partnership to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, reduce demand on services and strengthen the economy by embedding prevention across all sectors to create the conditions that enable people and communities to live healthier lives. The Welsh Government’s clear, cross-government priorities in this area are a very promising starting point.”