Experts fear 'nightmare' future for public health
Public health experts fear that the government’s plans to reform public health could be a "nightmare" that will make it harder to respond to emergencies and reduce health inequalities, according to a survey by the UK Faculty of Public Health.
The survey of nearly 1,000 public health specialists on the Health and Social Care Bill found that:
- 71% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that it would create a safer and more effective response to public health emergencies
- 81% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the bill would reduce inequalities in access to healthcare
- 83% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that it would reduce bureaucracy in the NHS
Professor Lindsey Davies, President of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said: "Public health experts protect the health of millions of people by analysing complex evidence. Yet there is little evidence that the huge changes that the bill would bring will deliver the public health improvements we all want to see.
"That's why Faculty of Public Health members and other professional organisations are working hard to get our amendments to the bill accepted. This is to reduce the risks to people's future health and wellbeing and England's public health system. Otherwise, the bill risks undermining the ability of public health professionals to deal with emergency situations, such as e-coli outbreaks, or deliver long-term improvements in people’s health through local and national programmes."
To find out more, read the press release and a briefing about the survey.
Written: 29/11/2011 , last modified: 06/02/2012
