NEWS
PRESS RELEASE
7th January 2010
All DsPH want for Christmas
Following the survey sent to all DsPH in December a press release [pdf] has been issued highlighting areas that DsPH feel are the most important lobbying issues in the coming year.
The number one issue is the introduction of a 50p minimum unit price for alcohol. Other top choices were ensuring GPs and Foundation and acute Trusts take account of public health goals; tackling illicit tobacco; and nutrition and active travel initiatives. Members can read a fuller report on the members area of this website.
Health Communities Community of Practice (CoP)
The IDeA’s Healthy Communities Programme has set up a CoP to provide an on and off line forum for all who are committed to promoting good health in its widest sense and reducing inequalities. The community enables individuals to share information with peers across geographical and sector boundaries.
The Healthy Communities CoP offers individuals:
- An easy to use online platform
- Discussion forums on a range of health improvement topics
- Blogs (online diaries) from a range of people with their views on current health improvement issues
- A searchable document library including case studies toolkits and research reports
Read how to join - or contact IDeA
PRESS RELEASE
18th October 2007
Choosing Health funding
Overall, two thirds (66%) of the 2006-2007 choosing health allocation was spent on other things. The most common place for the missing money to go was on supporting PCT financial deficits.
- Half of PCTs lost nearly all of their money (80% or more).
- Less than 10% of PCTs spent the full allocation.
- There was not much more confidence reported about the financial year 2007-8. PCTs reported that just 28% of these funds are likely to be made available.
The major areas for investment, where directors of public health expressed concern for their local population were sexual health, obesity, smoking, alcohol. Others were concerned about investment in coronary heart disease, mental health, health trainers, drugs, cancer, screening and long-term conditions.
Dr Tim Crayford, President of The Association of Directors of Public Health, said:
“Three years after the publication of the Choosing Health white paper, funding intended to tackle preventative health problems is still being used to pay for financial deficits in some parts of the NHS. All the evidence shows treatment for obesity, alcohol and sexual health problems are a drain on NHS resources and with funding now in place to tackle these issues at grass roots level, the government should make sure this is ring fenced so that it is used for its intended purpose.”
Read the full press release [pdf]
The Role of Public Health in Integrated Services
June 2007
The Integrated Care Network has launched guidance on The Role of Public Health in Integrated Services which can be found on the Care Services Improvement partnership website.
UK Public Health Network for Commissioning
March 2007
Information on the new UK Public Health Network for Commissioning [pdf]