01.12.10
Public Health England – a new service to get people healthy
A radical plan to go further and faster in tackling today’s causes of premature death and illness and reduce health inequalities, with a public health service to make it happen, was unveiled today by Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley.
Public Health England will be created as a service that gives more power to local people over their health, whilst keeping a firm national grip on crucial population-wide issues such as flu pandemics.
The White Paper, Healthy Lives, Healthy People also sets out how funding from the overall NHS budget will be ring-fenced for spending on public health – a recognition that prevention is better than cure. Early estimates suggest that current spend on areas that are likely to be the responsibility of Public Health England could be in the range of £4 billion.
The majority of public health services will be commissioned by local authorities from their ring-fenced budget, or by the NHS, all funded from Public Health England’s new public health budget.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]