Statement: Response to the Kingsfund report on Directors of public health and the Covid-19 pandemic

Jim McManus, Vice President, Association of Directors of Public Health said:

This report presents a rich and insightful account of the role played by Directors of Public Health during the pandemic. ADPH is proud to have contributed to, and supported, the King’s Fund in developing it – and offer our thanks to all those colleagues involved in producing it.

The picture painted is of highly skilled, experienced and knowledgeable public health leaders who, with their excellent teams in local government, have taken on significant responsibilities to protect their communities during a uniquely challenging period and performed exceptionally well. Systems, processes and resources have not always been on the side of Directors of Public Health, nevertheless their commitment, professionalism and ingenuity has been commendable.

The findings should be required reading for anyone engaged in the NHS and public health system reforms and implementation, the Spending Review and the recovery agenda. The value of place and local leadership has never been clearer. It also provides vital evidence for a COVID-19 public inquiry which we believe should start sooner rather than later.