The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Public Health to be Transformed With Formation of Two New Bodies

Public Health to be Transformed With Formation of Two New Bodies
07 April 2021
 

The Health Estates and Facilities Management Association is encouraging feedback on a recent proposal to overhaul England’s public health with the formation of two new bodies.

The feedback from health estates and FM professionals will help to inform the next phase of public health system reform as they progress towards implementation.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed its plans to transform the public health system. Two new bodies will separately target health security and the prevention of ill health.

NHS England’s focus on prevention and population will be strengthened,  with the transfer of national capabilities to help drive and support improved health. Important national disease registries functions will move to NHS Digital.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will protect against infectious diseases and external health threats. The Office for Health Promotion will sit within the DHSC, under the leadership of the Chief Medical Officer and will drive the government’s prevention agenda. It will embed promoting good health across the work of the whole government and the NHS.

UKHSA will bring together national public health science and response capabilities and strengthen national defences against all health hazards, including ensuring the UK is well-prepared for pandemics at all times.

Dr Jenny Harries, incoming Chief Executive of UKHSA said: "With the creation of the UKHSA, we have an unprecedented opportunity to build on the scientific and operational strength that has been developed, learn from the past and further develop strong bonds with health protection leadership from global to local, to ensure we are ready for the challenges of the future."

 

The Office for Health Promotion

 

The Office for Health Promotion will increase focus throughout government – locally and nationally – and across the NHS on preventing the onset of avoidable physical and mental illness, supporting the whole of government to go further in improving health. 

Integrated care systems (ICSs) will play a critical part in the prevention agenda, by bringing local authorities and the NHS together, to take decisions at a local level. Legislation will include a ‘Health and Care Partnership’ as part of the ICS, which would be tasked with promoting partnership arrangements and developing a plan to address the health, social care and public health needs of their system.

Picture: a photograph of a surgeon in full scrubs

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 07 April 2021

Share



Related Articles

Public Health England to be Replaced by New Body 

After being scrutinised for its response to COVID-19, Public Health England will be replaced by the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP). The institute will...

 Read Full Article
NHS Nightingale – A Hospital Built in 9 Days

As it admits its first patients, ThisWeekinFM takes a look at how London’s ExCeL exhibition centre was transformed in just nine days into NHS...

 Read Full Article
Are Offices a Greater COVID Risk Than Supermarkets and Restaurants?

Data from Public Health England suggests that office environments have had more COVID outbreaks than other workplaces. Figures obtained by the BBC 5 Live...

 Read Full Article
NHS Trials “Unique” New Decontamination Tech to Reduce COVID Transmission Indoors

The NHS is trialling a new technology solution which claims to replicate the science of outdoor air in indoor spaces. Airora Professional, developed by PA Consulting...

 Read Full Article
Venues Face Fines of up to £4K if Rule of Six is Not Enforced

Leisure and hospitality venues in England are legally required to enforce the rule of six from today, or risk a fine of up to £4,000. Designated venues will also...

 Read Full Article
Mitie Will Provide FM Services At Coronavirus Test Centres

Mitie is providing facilities management services for five COVID-19 test centres in the UK. The centres, located in Penrith, Inverness, Bournemouth, Perth and Llandudno...

 Read Full Article
NHS Nightingale Hospital Manchester Finished Within Two Weeks

As the new hospital officially opens, Integrated Health Projects (IHP) and its partners have revealed their role in the creation of the NHS Nightingale North...

 Read Full Article
ISS To Provide Soft Services At New Nightingale Hospital

The FM industry continues to step up to the challenge set by COVID-19, with ISS UK taking on the soft services contract at ExCeL exhibition centre. ISS will deliver...

 Read Full Article
Compass Group Recognises The Critical Role Of Its Front Line Employees

Compass Group, the UK’s largest food and support services company, is announcing new measures to recognise the efforts of its colleagues and support its communities...

 Read Full Article
Europcar Mobility Group Supports Essential Workers With £5 Car Rental

The group have launched the "Together" programme to support the mobility of workers in emergency service sectors in light of the COVID-19...

 Read Full Article