CIH responds to the NHS 10-year Health Plan

Today the government revealed its 10-year Health Plan for the NHS, bringing health care into local communities.

It outlined:

• Plans for Neighbourhood Health Services to be rolled out across the country, which will bring together a range of services, including diagnostic, post-op and rehab, and mental health services. Closer and easier access will help to prevent long waits for hospital treatment.
• Expanding the NHS app, to make it a ‘digital front door’, helping people access some services without needing a GP appointment, such as mental health services, vaccines, health screening.
• Shifting investment of £2.2 billion into resources to tackle health inequalities, such as medicines and equipment into communities.
• Use of AI to speed up and streamline administrative processes.

'A core determinant of health'

Sarah Davis, policy manager at CIH and lead for health and housing said: 

“Housing is a core determinant of health; poor quality homes cost the NHS £1.4 billion each year. Housing policy as we now know it was established to address public health concerns. We believe that a renewed strengthening of the relationship between the housing sector and the health service is vital to improve health outcomes.”

In our evidence submission, we called for the plan to include funding for supported housing and floating support, allowing for timely hospital discharge and freeing up costly clinical settings where a home setting would be more appropriate; strategic planning for an ageing population and joint working between local housing and health partners.  

CIH hopes that the Neighbourhood Health Services will provide the place and opportunity for housing to be embedded in the solutions that we need to improve health in local communities, developed together with the people we are all there to support. It is encouraging that services such as debt advice and employment support have been proposed within these centres, but the ambition should go further – the home is the place that underpins our whole lives, and must not be overlooked.

Decent homes that are adapted to people’s needs, linked with the right support where required, are fundamental to helping people live well, maintain health and manage long term conditions. So, to achieve the 10-year plan we cannot afford to neglect the vital role of our homes, and the value of housing professionals as key partners within the Neighbourhood Health Services.

Examples exist of the significant benefits to health from closer working with housing and care, which can provide valuable experience and examples on which the Neighbourhood Health Services can build. From coordinating repairs and maintenance with health interventions in the case of respiratory problems, to examples of 
housing staff, with support from public health, helping residents to take up initiatives to stop smoking, increase physical activity and connect to other local support programmes. Look at CIH's Healthy Homes, Healthy Places campaign for more.

Read CIH’s full evidence submission to the plan

Further information:

• The full 10-year Health Plan (PDF)
• The full 10-year Health Plan (accessible version)

 Members can look out for more detail on the plan to follow.