BPS responds to publication of Major Conditions Strategy initial report
We are encouraged by some elements of the initial report, but delivery as opposed to strategy is key in order to improve health outcomes.
15 August 2023
The report sets out the government's approach to tackling the groups of conditions that drive ill health in England. It focuses on five key areas, including primary prevention, secondary prevention, early diagnosis, prompt and urgent care and treatment and long-term care and treatment.
We welcome the focus on these five areas, and in particular the focus on prevention and community based services and the commitment to better connect and integrate mental and physical health services. It is encouraging to see the report focusing on taking a 'whole person' approach to healthcare.
Some of the specific initiatives referenced in the report show promise, such as the commitment to expanding the coverage of Mental Health Support Teams to 50 per cent of pupils and the publication of a new national suicide prevention strategy.
However while we can see some benefits of moving towards a more integrated model, we are still concerned – as highlighted in our response to the consultation on the strategy – that there will be a loss of focus on individual conditions such as mental health.
It also appears that this interim report fails to make the connection with the severe challenges facing the NHS and social care workforce, with the current staffing crisis making delivering care increasingly challenging.
Sarb Bajwa, chief executive of the BPS, said:
"While this initial report shows promise, there remains big question marks over the delivery of the strategy given the huge challenges facing the NHS and social care workforce.
"We look forward to seeing further detail on how these plans will be delivered and in particular how they will align with the NHS Workforce Plan and the current funding challenges facing NHS services."