Public Health England

Public Health England
source
Agency name	Public Health England
Formed	2013
Dissolved	2021
Superseding	Health Protection Agency, National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse
Jurisdiction	England
Headquarters	London
Employees	5,000
Annual budget	£4 billion
Minister responsible	Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Public Health England was a Department of Health and Social Care executive agency, responsible for protecting and improving the health and wellbeing of the population in England. It was established in 2013, following the abolition of the Health Protection Agency and the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, and was led by Duncan Selbie, a former NHS executive. The agency worked closely with NHS England, Local Government Association, and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to address major public health issues, such as tobacco control, obesity, and infectious disease prevention. Public Health England also collaborated with international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, to share best practices and respond to global health threats.

● Introduction

Public Health England played a critical role in promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing disease, and protecting the population from health hazards, such as air pollution, climate change, and antimicrobial resistance. The agency provided expert advice to National Health Service professionals, local authorities, and government agencies, including the Food Standards Agency and the Environment Agency, on a range of public health issues, including vaccination, screening, and health promotion. Public Health England also worked with academic institutions, such as the University of Oxford and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, to conduct research and develop evidence-based policies. Additionally, the agency collaborated with charities, including the British Heart Foundation and the Cancer Research UK, to raise awareness about major health issues and promote healthy behaviors.

● History

Public Health England was established on April 1, 2013, as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, which aimed to reform the National Health Service and improve public health outcomes in England. The agency was formed by merging the Health Protection Agency, the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, and other public health functions from the Department of Health and Social Care. Public Health England's early work focused on addressing major public health issues, such as smoking cessation, alcohol misuse, and obesity prevention, and developing strategies to reduce health inequalities, including the Marmot Review and the Fair Society, Healthy Lives report. The agency also responded to major public health incidents, including the Ebola outbreak and the novel coronavirus pandemic, working closely with international partners, such as the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

● Functions

Public Health England's main functions included protecting the population from infectious diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, and promoting healthy lifestyles, including physical activity, healthy eating, and mental health wellbeing. The agency also provided expert advice on vaccination, screening, and health promotion, and worked with local authorities to develop and implement public health strategies, including the Public Health Outcomes Framework and the Health and Wellbeing Boards. Public Health England collaborated with NHS England to improve health outcomes, including reducing premature mortality and improving cancer survival rates, and worked with academic institutions, such as the University of Cambridge and the Imperial College London, to conduct research and develop evidence-based policies. Additionally, the agency provided support to local authorities to address major public health issues, including air pollution, climate change, and antimicrobial resistance.

● Organisational_Structure

Public Health England was led by a chief executive, who reported to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Department of Health and Social Care's permanent secretary. The agency was organized into several directorates, including the Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, the Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, and the Knowledge and Intelligence Directorate. Public Health England also had several local centres, which worked closely with local authorities and NHS organizations to address local public health issues, including the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and the West Midlands Combined Authority. The agency collaborated with other government agencies, including the Food Standards Agency and the Environment Agency, to address major public health issues, and worked with international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, to share best practices and respond to global health threats.

● Criticisms_and_Controversies

Public Health England faced several criticisms and controversies during its existence, including concerns about its accountability and transparency, particularly in relation to its handling of major public health incidents, such as the novel coronavirus pandemic. The agency was also criticized for its funding and resource allocation, with some arguing that it did not receive sufficient resources to address major public health issues, including health inequalities and mental health wellbeing. Additionally, Public Health England faced criticism from some local authorities and NHS organizations, who argued that the agency did not provide sufficient support and guidance on public health issues, including tobacco control and obesity prevention. The agency also faced criticism from charities, including the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing, who argued that it did not do enough to address major public health issues, including staffing shortages and funding constraints.

● Abolition_and_Legacy

Public Health England was abolished on October 1, 2021, as part of a major reorganization of the public health system in England, which aimed to improve public health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. The agency's functions were transferred to a new organization, UK Health Security Agency, which is responsible for protecting the population from infectious diseases and promoting healthy lifestyles. Public Health England's legacy includes its work on major public health issues, such as tobacco control, obesity prevention, and infectious disease prevention, and its collaboration with international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The agency's work also informed the development of several major public health policies, including the NHS Long Term Plan and the Prevention Green Paper. Additionally, Public Health England's research and evidence-based policies have been recognized internationally, including by the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and have contributed to improvements in public health outcomes in England and beyond.

Category:Defunct government agencies of the United Kingdom