New Government must deliver on its public health promises
ADPH responds to the result of the General Election 2019
The Association of Directors of Public Health welcomes the new Government into office. We know there is much to do ahead, but improving and protecting people's health must be a priority.
While people are living longer, the number of years that they do so in good health is deteriorating, and health inequalities are increasing.
Now, more than ever, we need clear political will to put health and wellbeing at the heart of policy and spending decisions across Whitehall.
Dr. Jeanelle de Gruchy, ADPH President and Director of Population Health Tameside said:
“We urge the new Government to fulfil its promise of more funding for the NHS - which is very welcome - and build on the prevention agenda initiated by the previous Conservative administration. This includes progressing the Prevention Green Paper, producing the next chapter of the Childhood Obesity Strategy, publishing a Vaccination Strategy and developing a Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy. Crucially, the Government should commit to a three-year package of investment in public health through a Spending Review to deliver this. It must act quickly to clarify the Public Health Grant settlement and allocations for 2020/21, ensuring in particular that additional cost burdens associated with Agenda for Change and PrEP are properly funded.”ADPH’s Manifesto for Public Health sets out our ambitions; not just what we want the Government to do, but the contribution Directors of Public Health will themselves make to improve wellbeing in their communities.
We look forward to working constructively with the Government to improve and protect our nation's health in the coming years.