Following George Osborne’s Autumn Statement, the PAGB has warned that further public service cuts could damage access to vital services, such as those to help people reduce and stop smoking.

“The use of Stop Smoking Services is already declining at an alarming rate. Cuts to local government public health budgets are impacting on the number and quality of services offered, as well as the advertising and promotion of services, so people don’t always know that help is available,” said John Smith, PAGB chief executive.

Pharmacy Voice agreed with the PAGB’s stance saying: “Without investing in prevention we are simply storing up greater costs to impact on the health system further down the line. If the Government genuinely supports the Five Year Forward View, cuts to public health services would contradict this; the document was very clear on the urgency of radically upgrading prevention in public health.”

Despite the local government cuts, Pharmacy Voice didn’t view the Autumn statement as entirely negative, stating: “It is welcome that the Government has agreed to frontload and increase investment in the NHS. However, with the continuing uphill struggle to meet the £22bn funding gap, the pressures on the healthcare system to cut costs still weigh heavy.”