Public Health England

Public Health England
Name	Public Health England
Formed	2013
Preceding1	Health Protection Agency
Preceding2	NHS National Services
Dissolved	2021
Superseding1	UK Health Security Agency
Superseding2	Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
Jurisdiction	England
Headquarters	London
Region code	GB
Parent agency	Department of Health and Social Care

Public Health England was an executive agency established in 2013 to protect and improve population health across England. It succeeded several predecessor bodies including the Health Protection Agency, worked closely with NHS England, and operated within the remit of the Department of Health and Social Care. The agency coordinated disease surveillance, health improvement, and emergency response until functions were reorganised into successor bodies in 2021.

History

Public Health England was created following recommendations in documents influenced by reviews such as the Griffiths Report and policy decisions by ministers in the Cameron ministry. Its formation consolidated work from the Health Protection Agency, NHS Public Health Service, and regional centres formerly managed under Department of Health structures. In 2016 it published strategies responding to priorities set by figures including Jeremy Hunt and engaged with institutions like World Health Organization offices in Geneva. During the 2010s it interacted with devolved administrations including Scottish Government and Welsh Government on cross-border issues. Organizational changes under the Johnson ministry culminated in a 2020 announcement to create the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, leading to PHE’s functions being transferred in 2021.

Organisation and governance

PHE reported to ministers at the Department of Health and Social Care and was overseen by a board that included individuals drawn from public and private sectors, with links to agencies such as NHS England and regulators like the Care Quality Commission. Leadership engaged with academic partners including University College London, Imperial College London, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Regional structures liaised with local authorities such as Manchester City Council and Birmingham City Council and with agencies like Public Health Wales on shared programmes. PHE maintained laboratories and centres that collaborated with organisations including the Food Standards Agency, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Functions and responsibilities

PHE was responsible for surveillance and analysis of infectious disease, non-communicable disease prevention, health protection, and public health intelligence. It issued guidance used by NHS England, local authorities, and clinical bodies including the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners. PHE managed vaccination programmes in partnership with bodies such as Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and supported screening services linked to NHS Blood and Transplant and screening committees like the UK National Screening Committee. It operated specialist centres that worked with international partners such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and institutions including the Wellcome Trust.

Major programmes and initiatives

PHE ran disease control and prevention campaigns aligned with initiatives like the Healthy Lives, Healthy People policy and collaborated with charities including Cancer Research UK and British Heart Foundation on risk reduction. It delivered immunisation schedules informed by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and coordinated responses to outbreaks alongside organisations such as European Medicines Agency and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Behavioural insights work drew on research from Behavioural Insights Team and academic partners like University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. Screening, sexual health, and tobacco control programmes connected with networks including NHS Digital and non-governmental organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support.

Role in public health emergencies

PHE operated national incident response centres and managed surveillance systems during events including influenza seasons and the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It worked within multi-agency structures that involved Cabinet Office, NHS England, and advisory groups such as Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group. PHE’s laboratories collaborated with reference labs like Porton Down and research units at institutions such as University of Liverpool. Its role interfaced with international reporting obligations to the World Health Organization and coordination with agencies including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Funding and partnerships

Funding for PHE came from the Department of Health and Social Care and was supplemented by commissioned services with partners such as NHS England, local authorities, and academic grants from bodies like the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research. It entered commercial partnerships for services with companies regulated by the Competition and Markets Authority and worked alongside charities and professional bodies including the Royal Society for Public Health and the Faculty of Public Health. International collaborations involved agencies such as the World Health Organization and bilateral work with ministries in countries like India and Nigeria through research consortia.

Criticism and legacy

PHE attracted criticism over its handling of some outbreaks and preparedness, with scrutiny from parliamentary committees such as the Health and Social Care Select Committee and reports referencing practices in previous incidents like the 2013–16 Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Debate involved academic critiques from centres including King's College London and policy analyses by think tanks such as the Institute for Government and The King's Fund. The 2021 reorganisation into the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities was presented as reform, while commentators from outlets including The BMJ and organisations like Amnesty International assessed implications for public health capacity and accountability. PHE’s legacy continues in successor institutions, academic collaborations, and ongoing public health programmes.

Category:Public health in England