New research from RSPH suggests that budget cuts are having a direct impact on the availability of many of the frontline services which have a role to play in  fighting obesity including weight management and exercise referral schemes.

The survey which was completed by 100 people working in public health found rationing across all areas of lifestyle health and budget constraints were cited as the overwhelming factor (by 78.89%) driving such rationing decisions.

The list of services to which people working in public health have seen rationing includes:

• Weight management – 48.78%
• Exercise referral schemes – 43.90%
• NHS Health Checks – 35.37%
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – 31.71%
• Alcohol treatment services – 28.05%
• Sexual health – 28.05%
• Drug treatment – 26.83%
• Smoking cessation – 25.61%
• Vaccinations – 15.85%

Shirley Cramer, Chief Executive of RSPH said: “This snapshot suggests that funding cuts are beginning to bite and are having a direct impact on frontline services. Obesity which Simon Stevens has called “the new smoking” is arguably the number one threat to both the public’s health and our NHS, but people in the frontline are reporting that some of our most effective weapons aimed at tackling this threat, such as exercise referral and weight management services are being restricted. A strategy which undermines prevention defies logic and is only storing up problems for the future, which will be amplified in terms of cost and impact to our nation’s health.”  

The anonymous survey was completed by RSPH members who were asked:

• In the last year, have you seen restrictions on access or "rationing" on any of the following services in your area? 
  • Sexual health
  • Exercise referral programmes
  • Weight management
  • NHS Health Checks
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
  • Smoking cessation
  • Drug treatment
  • Alcohol treatment
  • Vaccinations
  • Other- please state
• Why do you think this is?     
• In your personal or professional opinion, what will the impact of restricted access to these services have on people's health in your area?