Unhealthy divide

Funding for hospitals has also been protected by reductions in other services such as a public health, and illustrated by changes to various funding formulae which will again see the North deprived of key funds to tackle longstanding inequalities.

Yet, as the Government comes to terms with the ramifications of Andrew Lansley’s reforms after David Cameron famously promised no top-down NHS reorganisation prior to the election, there is a risk – according to today’s Health Select Committee report – that the coalition is losing sight of the importance of preventative care.

Two conclusions illustrate this. First, MPs question the chain of command if there is a major public health emergency, such as a flu pandemic, which could have far-reaching consequences for NHS budgets, and the wider economy, if many people require hospital treatment.

Second, the report doubts whether sufficient focus will be given to issues like obesity, smoking and alcohol abuse – three social issues that are prevalent across Yorkshire and which have a significant bearing on the region’s health.

As the Select Committee concludes, it is perverse in the extreme that resources will now be targeted “towards those areas which have made greatest progress with their public health challenges and away from areas which face the greatest outstanding problems”.

This appears to be totally counter-productive at a time when the onus is on Mr Lansley to spend public money wisely, while also trying to ease the future burden facing the NHS. In short, he should think again before his policies – like the message on cigarette packets – cause unnecessary damage the nation’s health and wealth.