The government has moved to insulate the UK against global health threats as it publishes a new three-year strategy setting out how it will build capacity and capability to respond both now and in the future.
The strategy has three main goals, which are to work in collaboration with domestic and international partners to ensure the UK is prepared for, and can adequately prevent, any future health security hazards; deliver a timely response to any incidents, saving lives and reducing overall harm; and build the country’s capacity to protect itself.
Today we’ve launched our strategic plan, outlining how we’re preparing for, preventing, and responding to health threats in order to save lives and protect livelihoods.
— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) July 25, 2023
Read more: https://t.co/zjiUb4e97x pic.twitter.com/RlZDGgcZgu
The strategy, which comes from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), also includes six priorities:
- Response – ensure the right preparation and infrastructure is in place to respond to any health hazards
- Vaccines – ensure vaccine uptake improves by facilitating innovation and reliable procurement
- Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance – ensure scientific, analytical and operational experts come together to minimise the impact of infectious disease (specifically covid-19, antimicrobial resistance, bloodborne viruses and tuberculosis)
- Environment – ensure the country is protected against environmental, chemical, radiological and nuclear incidents of any kind by improving planning and informing policy decisions
- Data and insight – ensure the potential of any existing data is maximised to benefit the public
- High-performance – ensure the UKHSA is ready for the challenge ahead by investing in its people and culture
“The dangers that emerging and re-emerging pathogens, environmental threats, and extreme climate pose to health should not be underestimated,” said the UKHSA’s chief executive, Dame Jenny Harries. “It is absolutely vital that the UK’s public health protection infrastructure and scientific expertise are equal to the challenge.”
She continued: “Through this strategic plan, UKHSA will continue to work across government, academia, and the private and voluntary sectors to keep the public safe and ensure that the UK is in the best possible position to respond to the hazards that we will face in coming years.”
To read the full strategy, click here.
Image credit: iStock
