Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board (Health) to understand and comment on the national and local implications of the Government’s proposed public health reforms. 

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which provided an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board (Health) to understand and comment on the national and local implications of the Government’s proposed public health reforms.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  A summary of the Government’s proposals for Public Health (Appendix 1 refers)

·  A Scrutiny Unit Briefing Note on the public health proposals (Appendix 2 refers)

·  A summary of the Public Health White Paper produced by the Centre for Public Health Scrutiny (CfPS) (Appendix 3 refers)

·  A summary of the Government’s Consultation Questions (Appendix 4 refers)

A copy of the revised document ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: the Public Health White Paper - A summary of the Government’s Consultation Questions’ (Appendix 4) was also circulated as supplementary information.

Dr. Ian Cameron, Joint Director of Public Health, NHS Leeds/Leeds City  Council was in attendance to give a brief overview of the key public health reforms outlined in the White Paper and address any specific questions identified by the Scrutiny Board.

The proposed Public Health reforms were categorised as:-

• System and regulation redesign
• Development of new/ existing relationships
• Focusing services on outcomes

Some of the key changes / impacts on local authorities were summarised as:-

• The enhanced role of local authorities in Health and wellbeing
• Transfer of Public Health responsibilities
• Developing relationships between Councils; Public Health England; Secretary of State for Health

Reference was made to a number of changes in timescales within the document ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People – The Public Health White Paper – Scrutiny Unit Briefing Note – Scrutiny Board (Health)’ (Appendix 2 refers).  Reference was also made to the current suite of consultation questions and examples of public health funded activity as outlined in Appendix 4.

In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:-

·  Clarification of whether or not existing work around public health issues within the local authority would be utilised within the new proposals i.e. Health and Well-being Partnership etc

(The Joint Director of Public Health responded and confirmed that existing work would be taken into account with a view to enhancing local working)

·  Clarification of the role of Public Health England in relation to strengthening both national and local leadership

·  The need to update the document ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People – The Public Health White Paper – Scrutiny Unit Briefing Note – Scrutiny Board (Health) (Appendix 2)’ on the Council’s website to reflect the changes/timescales reported at the meeting

(The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser agreed to follow up this issue with the Joint Director of Public Health)

·  The provision of public information advising of the proposed changes and seeking the views of the public

·  Clarification of the Government’s meaning of outcomes within the consultation process

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to write to the Joint Director of Public Health, NHS Leeds/Leeds City Council incorporating the above comments made as part of the Board’s response to the consultation proposals on the national and local implications of the Government’s proposed public health reforms.