This yr marks the tenth anniversary of the switch of public well being from main care trusts to native authorities. After a 40-year hiatus, the shift was described by some on the time as ‘public health coming home’. For this report we interviewed key figures closest to the reforms. Some of the interviews we performed are intentionally difficult and provocative; a few of them current an image of what’s already occurring in native authorities; a few of them look to what extra native and nationwide authorities might do sooner or later, both with further powers or through the use of their present powers and remit.

The switch enabled public well being to make the most of councils’ position as steady place leaders, coordinating vital partnerships throughout the NHS and a variety of different organisations, and with communities, creating the ethos that ‘health is everyone’s enterprise’. 

We consider the choice to switch duty was the suitable one then and stays the suitable one now. While our public well being challenges could really feel considerably totally different now, it’s sadly nonetheless the case that the drivers of ill-health stay pushed by wider social inequalities. This can solely be addressed with motion on training and abilities, jobs, houses and communities.

For all the problem, stress and disappointment related to COVID-19, the expertise did serve to powerfully illustrate how efficient native authorities – working with its statutory and non-statutory companions – may be in supporting and defending the wellbeing of individuals and communities.  As it’s broadly recognised, the pandemic has introduced us nearer collectively. We have skilled the worth of partnerships the place organisational badges now not matter and it shone a highlight on the significance of the position of the administrators of public well being and their groups.

The reforms, nevertheless, coincided with reductions in funding, the place the particular public well being grant and native authorities funding extra broadly, was not prioritised by the federal government in comparison with NHS funding. Investing in native authorities is about investing within the communities folks must stay wholesome, completely happy and impartial lives. 

It is all the time vital to recollect, bringing public well being again into native authorities was by no means a ‘drag and drop’ train. It was, and continues to be, about constructing an enhanced locally-led twenty first century public well being service, the place innovation is fostered and promoted, supported by the experience of pros, pushed by sturdy information and intelligence, constructed on an extended historical past of what works and one which it’s democratically accountable to our communities.

With a rising understanding of the very important significance of the nation’s well being and a dedication to bettering well being and wellbeing for these most in danger, we may be optimistic that public well being will proceed to develop in confidence and effectiveness within the years to come back.

Councillor David Fothergill
Chairman
LGA Community Wellbeing Board