The role of Public Health in local government

Dr Sue Greig, Consultant in Public Health

Maternity, Children and Young People, Sexual Health

Sheffield City Council

ScHaRR Career Event 20 May 2014

Major structural changes were introduced by the Health and Social Care Act

Are the new structures any better at reducing health inequalities?

Public Health England In 2013/14 our priorities will be:Helping people to live longer and more healthy lives by reducing preventable deaths and the burden of ill health associated with smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet, poor mental health, insufficient exercise, and alcoholReducing the burden of disease and disability in life by focusing on preventing and recovering from the conditions with the greatest impact, including dementia, anxiety, depression and drug dependencyProtecting the country from infectious diseases and environmental hazards, including the growing problem of infections that resist treatment with antibioticsSupporting families to give children and young people the best start in life, through Health Visiting, School Nursing, and FNP’sImproving health in the workplace by encouraging employers to support their staff and those moving into and out of the workforce, to lead healthier livesPromoting the development of place-based public health systemsDeveloping our capacity and capability to provide professional, scientific and delivery expertise to our partners

PHE ReviewPublic Health in Local Government - 9 months on

Challenges of working in public health in local government – a personal view

• Democratic accountability – working with local politicians

• Public Health grant ring fence: good or bad?• Public Health structure in Local Government:

control vs influence• Dumbing down specialist Public Health?• Changing face of Public Health leadership

10 tips for working with (Sheffield) Cabinet Members

1. Short term impact vs long-term impact

2. Detail really matters

3. Politicians are political

4. Competing balancing acts

5. Politicians are good at difficult decisions

6. Politicians are bad at surprises

7. Telepathy is difficult to master

8. How would you act if you had an opposition?

9. Honest tension is fine

10. We’ve got your back!

Sheffield Public Health Review May/June 2014: What are the public

health ‘game changers’?• Early Years• Housing• Making Every Contact Count• Employment, learning and skills• Physical activity• Regulation: tobacco, alcohol, food• Environment and sustainability • Air quality

Improving Public Health

Source: http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/improving-publics-health p58