MEMORANDUM BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLIC
HEALTH (PH1) (contd.)
10. THE ROLE
OF THE
DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC HEALTH
10.1 Regional and District Directors of
Public Health (DsPH) lead the public health function in their
areas. They play a critical role in providing the vision, leadership
and advocacy for promoting and protecting the health of the population
in their areas. A DPH is currently, on appointment, a consultant
in public health medicine. Further details of their role and functions
are at Annex H.
10.2 In a few areas of the country, where
boundaries permit, DPH posts have been established as formal joint
appointments between local authorities and Health Authorities.
It is anticipated that joint appointments will lead to greater
involvement in the local decision making process, influence the
allocation of resources for public health in local authorities,
and help to ensure that there is alignment between local authority
Agenda 21 initiatives with Health Authority activity under Our
Healthier Nation. A close watch will be kept on developments
and experience gained. The role of Directors of Public Health
and their departments in supporting local authorities and their
public health role is important and increasing.
10.3 Saving Lives announced the creation
within the NHS of a new post of Specialist in Public Health Medicine.
This post will allow people from a range of backgrounds the potential
to achieve comparable levels of responsibility in appropriate
areas of expertise and practise to posts for medically qualified
Consultants in Public Health Medicine.
10.4 The impact of the annual DPH report
on the health of the local population is currently being reviewed.
Saving Lives gave a commitment to ensure that the annual
reports of the DsPH are used more systematically, providing the
basis for the formulation of health improvement programmes, and
meeting common standards. The aim is to strengthen the impact
and relevance of these reports to local audiences and organisations,
particularly local authorities.
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