Council could face £5.8million cuts to public health funding
NEW FORMULA COULD SEE LOCAL AUTHORITY LOSE OUT
Concerns have been raised about public health services in Sunderland as council bosses face grant funding cuts of nearly £6million.
In 2020/21 public health funding is expected to shift from ring-fenced grants to 75% business rate retention.
However, the new funding formula used to decide public health pots could see 12 North East councils lose out on a combined £40million.
Under the proposals, Sunderland City Council would see its grant cut from £24million in 2017/18 to £18.123million – a 25%reduction.
If grant reductions are brought into force, council bosses claim the key services tackling health inequalities in the city could be affected.
Cabinet member for health and social care, Coun Dr Geoff Walker labelled the proposals as “short-sighted”, noting the potential impact on the health of Sunderland residents.
“Work helping to prevent teenagepregnancies,smoking, inactivity,childobesity,sexuallytransmittedinfections,drug or alcohol abuse, or better oral health, are not health budget add-ons,” he said.
“The public health grant also funds key services for children and families, such as health visiting and school nursing.
“Preventative work now helps keep people out of hospital and what is often more time-consuming and much more expensive medical treatment.”
The North East-wide impact of the changes was revealed at a meeting of Durham’s Health and Wellbeing Board this month with Sunderland facing the second highest cut in the region behind Durham.
However, the public health changes have already been factored into Sunderland City Council’s budget planning, which includes £50million in cuts over the next three years.
Coun Dr Walker added: “The government says it is increasing spending in the NHS but is taking away money from the public health services which can prevent illness and poor health in the first place.
“If public health budgets are cut then this will impact directly on the health of this city’s residents and the Government is going to put greater pressure on already stretched NHS resources.
“Cuts to public health are short-sighted and the city council, along with others, is lobbying strongly against these reductions.”
The Independent Advisory Committee for Resource Allocation (ACRA) formula is used to decide public health grants within business rate retention.
Predictions for future funding for local authorities are based on 2015/16 ACRA proposals and public health grant allocations for 2017/18.