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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Shelina Visram, Emeritus Prof David Hunter
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
Background: The Health and Social Care Act 2012 gave councils in England responsibility for improving the health of their populations. Public health teams were transferred from the NHS, accompanied by a ring-fenced public health grant. This study examines the changing role of these teams within local government. Methods: In-depth case study research was conducted within 10 heterogeneous councils. Initial interviews (n=90) were carried out between October 2015 and March 2016, with follow-up interviews (n=21) 12 months later. Interviewees included elected members, directors of public health (DsPH) and other local authority officers, plus representatives from NHS commissioners, the voluntary sector and Healthwatch. Results: Councils welcomed the contribution of public health professionals, but this was balanced against competing demands for financial resources and democratic leverage. DsPH – seen by some as a ‘protected species’ – were relying increasingly on negotiating and networking skills to fulfil their role. Both the development of the existing specialist public health workforce and recruitment to, and development of, the future workforce were uncertain. This poses both threats and opportunities. Conclusions: Currently the need for staff to retain specialist skills and maintain UKPH registration is respected. However, action is needed to address how future public health professionals operating within local government will be recruited and developed.
Author(s): Jehu LM, Visram S, Marks L, Hunter DJ, Davis H, Mason A, Liu D, Smithson J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Public Health
Year: 2018
Volume: 40
Issue: 3
Pages: e203-e210
Print publication date: 01/09/2018
Online publication date: 07/11/2017
Acceptance date: 15/10/2017
Date deposited: 16/10/2017
ISSN (print): 1741-3842
ISSN (electronic): 1741-3850
Publisher: Oxford University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdx154
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdx154
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