A new Audit Commission briefing looks at progress on improving health and reducing health inequalities in England. Out today, 11 March, Healthy Balance analyses where the money has been spent. (Read in full here)
In 2009/10, the Commission estimates that the NHS allocated £21 billion to primary care trusts (PCTs) to reflect differences in health inequalities.
Overall health improvements include cuts in infant mortality and increases in life expectancy. But they have coincided with a widening gap between the poor and the better off. Among its conclusions, the Commission suggests there may have been too much policy and guidance for PCTs and local authorities to keep up with.
Andy McKeon, the Audit Commission’s Managing Director, Health, said:
‘We know the health of the nation is improving. But variation in the health of people living in different parts of the country remains stark. Comparisons can be striking. While teenage pregnancy drops by 38 per cent in one town, it rises by 14 per cent in a neighbouring town.
‘The Audit Commission wanted to open discussions on some fundamental questions about improving the nation’s health and tackling health inequalities because public spending will be more constrained in the years ahead.’
The new Oneplace website shows public health outcomes across England. Inspectors gave green or red flags indicating where there is good practice that others can learn from and where there are concerns at the progress made by councils, the NHS and other local bodies.
Healthy Balance gives examples of where public health problems persist and it compares progress on increasing life expectancy. The briefing also looks at health spending and considers other factors: annual alcohol-related hospital admissions will reach one million in 2011, while infant mortality rates have shown little improvement for four years.