Some of the recommendations in our consultation response include:
- Place a high priority on increasing the numbers of public health specialists and analysts in training.
- The importance of UKHSA engaging effectively with its partners in the devolved nations.
- Ensuring that data analytical structures are coherent and shared with partners.
- The mechanisms for independent public health reviews should be kept in place.
- Workforce development should be kept as integral as possible and needs professional leadership.
- An Office of Budget Responsibility for Population Health can strengthen joined-up working across Government on the wider determinants of health.
- Public health expertise should be given flexibility and mobility across Government.
- There needs to be a greater emphasis on system leadership as part of the local Director of Public Health role.
- A strong set of national objectives and supportive metrics which provide the accountability framework for the whole system is essential.
- We need clarity of responsibilities, and clear lines of accountability and communication between bodies and agencies, including ICSs.
- There should be subsidiarity between the regional tier.
- It is vital that the notion of a public health system working as a whole is not lost as the structural changes are actioned. This includes ensuring collaboration and cooperation across all four nations of the UK.