Shake up for Plymouth's public health

On 1 April 2013 the way public health in Plymouth is delivered and organised will officially change.

Responsibility for the health of Plymouth’s communities will formally transfer from the NHS to Plymouth City Council as a result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
The council will have overall responsibility for services including;

* sexual health services
* drug and alcohol treatment services
* health checks for 40 to 74-year-olds
* school nursing programmes
* giving up smoking services
* services to prevent childhood obesity including the national child measurement programme.

The changes are designed to improve co-ordination of services and provide increased opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Plymouth.

Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet member for Public Health and Adult Social Care said: “Public health has a huge impact on people’s lives and we are fortunate in having a wealth of expertise and experience in our public health team.

The 1 April marks the return of public health to local authority control, a move I fully support as the Council is the best place for the services. We now have an opportunity for us to better join up the way we work in the city and really make an impact in reducing health inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of people in Plymouth.”

Dr Peter Rudge, Chair of the Western Locality of NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Shadow Clinical Commissioning Group added: "The health and well-being of individuals remains a priority for the NHS. We look forward to working closely with Plymouth City Council and key partners to make the most of the opportunities we have to make a real difference for those we serve."

Although the formal transfer will happen on 1 April, in Plymouth a great deal of work has already taken place to integrate the team.

They will work alongside colleagues across the Council to tackle health issues and promote improved health and wellbeing through the early years service, health education and promotion, leisure, planning, transport, housing, economic development and regeneration, regulation and environmental protection.