ABSTRACT
Why is it that NHS workers are continually complaining that the service is underfunded while the Government claims that it is increasing NHS funding year on year in real terms? Is someone being economical with the truth or is there a deeper explanation? Richard Lawson shows that at least one fifth of the NHS clinical budget is spent on trying to cure illness caused by unemployment poverty bad housing and environmental pollution. The NHS has been falling behind in the race to keep up with deteriorating health caused by worsening social and environmental conditions. Bills of Health offers treatment as well as diagnosis. It identifies what needs to be done to rectify the causes of our ill-health and how this could be achieved through the creation of between one and two million jobs in the UK. Jobs that include worthwhile work in housing public transport and environmental protection as well as caring for people. Bills of Health draws up balance sheets that show not only can we afford to finance this work - but that we cannot afford not to.
