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25 November 2020
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Statement: Response to the Spending Review

Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, President, Association of Directors of Public Health

COVID-19 has shone a light on the knowledge, expertise, and skills of Directors of Public Health and their teams. In the current circumstances, and following years of cuts to local public health, it is completely incomprehensible that the Government is not increasing the public health grant.

During 2021-22, local public health teams will continue to have a key role in the management of COVID-19 – and being prepared for any future epidemics. In addition, if we are serious about learning the lessons of how existing health inequalities have driven and exacerbated the impact of COVID-19, we must address the socio-economic determinants of health and invest in local public health teams.

We will be making a strong case for substantial investment at the three-year Spending Review next year and, in the meantime, urging the Government to provide additional resourcing to enable Directors of Public Health and their teams to carry out their responsibilities as part of the COVID-19 response and to promote place-based approaches to a healthy recovery.

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