Public health reforms
A better future for public health is possible, with local government at its heart.
public health
The end of austerity for addiction services?
For decades, local authorities have held lead responsibility for commissioning services to provide care and recovery for people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.
‘Short-sighted’ decision on public health funding
Councils’ public health funding grant will be maintained but not increased in 2021 – a decision labelled “extremely short-sighted” by the LGA in its response to last month’s Spending Review.
New agency to tackle future pandemic threats
A new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been launched to prevent and respond to external threats to the country’s health – such as from infectious diseases like COVID-19.
Mental wellbeing ‘crucial’ to recovery planning
People’s mental wellbeing will play a crucial role in every aspect of recovery planning, the LGA has said in a new joint report with the Centre for Mental Health.
More localisation of Test and Trace
The NHS Test and Trace system in England will cut 6,000 staff by the end of August, with the remaining contact tracers working alongside councils’ public health teams to reach more infected people and their contacts in communities, the Government has announced.
New health protection organisation launched
Public Health England (PHE) is being replaced by a new body, the National Institute for Health Protection, which will be focused on preparing for external threats such as pandemics.
PPE supply warning amid second wave concerns
Urgent clarity over the governance and distribution of vital personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed in the event of a second wave of coronavirus, MPs have found.
Rebuilding mentally healthier communities
Mental ill health costs thousands of lives and more than £105 billion every year – an average of £700 million per upper-tier council area in England alone.
Pandemic highlights health inequalities
Black people are nearly twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than white people, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.