Lansley/public health

[Guest guest]

HSJ today reports a speech from Lansley announcing: "a “whole new approach” to public health in which, he says, the government will shape individuals’ behaviour and choice rather than control supply. The health secretary, speaking at the UK Faculty of Public

Health annual conference today, said: “My vision is for a new public health service which rebalances our approach to health, and draws

together a national strategy and leadership, alongside local leadership

and delivery and, above-all, a new sense of community and social responsibility.”He said there would be a “new responsibility deal

between government and business built on shared social responsibility and not state regulation”, and a cabinet sub-committee on public health will “tackle the drivers of demand on the NHS”.Mr Lansley announced a reorganised structure for local public health functions, which are currently based with primary care trusts. He said there would be a ring fenced public health budget and new authority

for public heath directors.Funds will be targeted at areas with the poorest health. Mr Lansley said there would be more detail in a white paper - separate to his proposals for the NHS - later this year.Notably

absent from the announcement was a proposal to rename the Department

of Health to the Department of Public Health, as had been proposed by the Conservatives

before the election.He said the system should be “accountable

for results, not for processes”.“We will not be dictating the ‘how’ when it comes to achieving better public health outcomes. But we will be very clear about the ‘what’ – what we want to measure and achieve, such as: increases in life expectancy, decreases in infant mortality

and health inequalities, improved immunisation rates, reduced childhood

obesity, fewer alcohol related admissions to hospital, and more people taking part in physical activity.”Doesn't sound as though there is anything very new there, as HSJ bloggers have been quick to point out, except yet another NHS reorganisation.best wishes Cowleysarahcowley183@...http://myprofile.cos.com/S124021COn