The Scottish Government’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, published on the 25th June, does not provide the concrete commitment required regarding health spending on prevention.
The Population Health Framework, the Health & Social Care Service Renewal Framework and the Public Service Reform Strategy, all published only last week, recognised the need for a shift to prevention in the delivery of health services. The Medium Term Financial Strategy does acknowledge the projected population health challenges affecting health spending and the need to invest in prevention. However, the more tangible content around health spend in the Strategy focuses instead on the need for health boards to make efficiencies and savings.
A meaningful shift to preventative health services will only be fulfilled if the Government provides a clear financial commitment to prevention as a percentage of overall health spend. We look forward to working with the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland in informing the sustainable implementation of the shift to prevention, particularly through third sector organisations.
