Common problems.
The health of people in 21st Century Britain is being affected by malnutrition, food poverty or poor housing. This week a survey of nurses* again underlined the depressingly common link between family economics and health.
40 per cent of nurses have patients whose circumstances are harming their health. 50% say the proportion of patients with preventable conditions has increased during their careers.
At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead we often see people whose problems are caused or made worse by health conditions.
That’s why we’re natural partners for Healthwatch Surrey and can help GP practices who know patients with other problems take longer to get better.
It’s also why we’re keen observers of public health provision as well as tax and benefit policy.
Responsibility is transferring from central government to local authorities. Most agree this makes sense. But the Local Government Association and Royal College of Nursing also say budgets are being cut when need is growing.
It would surely be a false economy to allow (or plan) cuts in drug and alcohol treatment, health education, sexual health services and services for the elderly.
Public health prevention and protection services are important for our clients whose health and prospects are already affected by low income and reduced benefits.
*Funding cuts risk public health, Royal College of Nursing, June 2016.