ADPH responds to Secretary of State announcements
Following todays announcements made by Secretary of State, Yvette Cooper, at the Labour Party Conference, we have welcomed plans to strengthen support for families alongside strengthening action to tackle violence against women and girls.
Welcoming the Government’s plans to strengthen care for mothers and babies, Sarah Muckle, Association of Directors of Public Health Spokesperson for Children and Young People and Director of Public Health for Essex County Council, said:
“Every child deserves a happy, healthy childhood and the first 1,001 days are critical, laying the foundations for lifelong emotional and physical wellbeing.
“Today’s announcement is a significant step towards making sure that all families, regardless of where they live, are able to access the right information and guidance during this critical period of development.
“As local leaders for health, Directors of Public Health are uniquely positioned to work with partners to realise the benefits of these plans, which must include effective collaboration with a range of health professionals, including midwives, health visitors, and GPs, to ensure women and families are given the support they need at the right time. Getting this right will not only deliver benefits for our communities but will also reduce the need for specialist services and pave the way for future generations to live healthier, happier lives for longer.”
Welcoming the Governments plans to take a public health approach to violence against women and girls, Greg Fell OBE, President of the Association of Director of Public Health and Director of Public Health for Sheffield City Council, said:
“Violence against women and girls has long-lasting impact, with harms felt across society, including mental, physical, emotional, social, and economic impact. Sadly, these harms can have wider impact across generations and populations and so it is absolutely right that this issue is looked at from a public health perspective.
“Taking this type of approach recognises that, as well as supporting people experiencing harm right now, we need to improve the factors in our environment that shape how we live, grow, and work, including how relationships between men and women are perceived.
“We look forward to working with the Government and other partners across the voluntary and community sector, and health services, to ensure that prevention, early intervention, and safeguarding can be implemented to support women and girls both now, and in the future.”