New guidance from DHSC

ADPH has been involved in developing new guidance with DHSC and the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) that sets out how local authorities give advice to ICBs on healthcare public health.

Healthcare public health is one of the three core domains of specialist public health practice, alongside health improvement and health protection. It relates to maximising the population benefits of healthcare and reducing health inequalities, while meeting the needs of individuals and groups. This is done by prioritising available resources, preventing diseases and improving health related outcomes.

The guidance, which replaces guidance previously published in 2017 by ADPH, FPH and Public Health England, explains the arrangements and skills needed to deliver effective healthcare public health advice to ICBs.

As Sara Blackmore, ADPH co-lead for NHS, ICS and Social Care policy, explained to Healthcare Leader:

“Directors of Public Health (DsPH) are responsible for the health and wellbeing of everyone in their local authority area and work in partnership across the public health system to improve and protect good health, and prevent harm.

“Central to this is working with integrated care boards to ensure that public health teams’ knowledge and expertise is fully utilised, existing work and effort is not duplicated, and that very stretched and precious resources are used as effectively and efficiently as possible.

“The guidance published this week focuses on how public health teams advise specifically on healthcare public health and is an example of how ADPH, who represent the collective voice of DsPH, work with DHSC and NHSE to ensure that the DPH role and view is considered whenever policy and guidance around health and wellbeing is being developed.

“This week’s guidance is especially important in light of the ongoing NHS and local government reform which, as well as providing opportunity to improve population health, also poses significant challenge to both workforces who are working incredibly hard to improve outcomes whilst also undergoing ongoing boundary and role changes.”