Cross-sectoral working 'key to handling cuts'
Kat Baldwyn
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Cross-sectoral working is essential to get the best out of shrinking budgets, delegates at the annual conference of Unite/Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association (CPHVA) were told.
David McDaid, senior research fellow at the London School of Economics, said: "Economy is about choice but whether we like it or not, there will always be resource constraints.
"Different budgets can be a challenge and sometimes local authorities, education and health services need to work together.
"They need to think of as many ways of doing this as possible. For example, what can education and health services work together on?"
He also emphasised the importance of recognising the value of wellbeing, saying: "A good quality of life and life satisfaction means better wellbeing. People with better wellbeing are more likely to give back to the community and be innovative, which in turn can help the economy.
"This is why early intervention to promote health and wellbeing is important.
"We know poor mental health in children has long-term consequences. It reduces their chance of unemployment, they are likely to end up in the justice system and there are substantial costs to the economy from things like antisocial behaviour."
