BPS responds to the IPPR ‘Our Greatest Asset’ report

Responding to the final report of the Institute for Public Policy Research's Commission on Health and Prosperity, Dr Roman Raczka, President of the British Psychological Society, said: 

"We agree with the IPPR's assessment that a greater focus on community care and preventative services would vastly improve the nation's health and wellbeing.  

"The concept of a "right to try" for people on health or disability benefits so they can "try" work with no risk to welfare status, is one that merits further exploration. The threat of removal of benefits payments causes increased stress and anxiety for those most in need and does nothing to support people back into work. Likewise new "neighbourhood health centres" with a focus on prevention, could be a vital lifeline for those in need. 

"We know that prevention is far more cost-effective than treatment and intervention, but as the report outlines, the NHS has huge potential for prevention that is not being realised. If given the investment they deserve, preventative services can free up vital capacity for the NHS to deliver higher quality and more accessible care for everyone. 

"We must take this opportunity to prioritise the nation's wellbeing and invest in primary prevention services. In doing so, we can stop many thousands of people from reaching crisis point and relieve the pressure on an already overburdened NHS."