ADPH responds to Government’s ‘rallying cry’

Greg Fell, President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, has welcomed today’s call for a national conversation about the future of the NHS, saying:

“Over the past 50 years, there has been a significant epidemiological shift, resulting in the vast majority of ill health being caused by largely avoidable factors. The Government has rightly recognised that the way to reverse this trend, and improve the nation’s health, is to build a healthier society, one where ill health is prevented, long before treatment is needed.

“Of course, improving treatments and patient pathways is important. However, it isn’t just about fixing the NHS. For this plan to work, it must address the wider, fundamental issues identified by Lord Darzi, and look at the entire health system.

“That means taking into account the role that local government plays, as well as the role of the voluntary and community sector, and ensuring that they have the resources and staffing they need to create healthier neighbourhoods – neighbourhoods where people are able to access the fundamental building blocks of good health, like decent housing, good education and employment, affordable, healthy food, and access to green and open spaces.

“Only by considering these wider determinants of health, thinking through the implications for our health in all decision making, and adequately supporting the existing public health functions that do this work, will we be able to free the NHS up to do what it does best.

“As the Government moves forward in shaping its plans, ADPH will continue to make the case for a health in all policies approach and provide the local public health perspective so that together, we can meet the Government’s very necessary target of shifting from treatment to prevention, and supporting people to live healthier lives for longer.”