Annex J
MEMORANDUM BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLIC
HEALTH (PH1) (contd.)
THE NATIONAL FORUM OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL PUBLIC
HEALTH ORGANISATIONS
The inaugural meeting of the National Forum
of Non-Governmental Public Health Organisations was held on the
4th February. Chaired by Dr Pat Troop, Deputy Chief Medical Officer,
the Forum's Terms of Reference are at Appendix 1.
The Forum was set up as a result of a commitment
in last year's Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation White
Paper to:
— provide expertise and advice to the
Department of Health on the contribution that non-Governmental
public health organisations can make to the development, implementation
and delivery of Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation and
related public health policies;
— encourage integrated working between
non-Governmental public health organisations, other Government
departments, statutory and other agencies;
— share information between non-Governmental
public health organisations and Government on public health policy
implementation;
— seek input from a wide range of non-Governmental
public health organisations to the work of the Forum and facilitate
communication with them; and
— suggest possible areas of research
to the Department of Health.
The 30+ member Forum (see Appendix 2 for the
membership list) comprises members from the voluntary sector,
professional public health organisations, some statutory sector
organisations, and a minimal Department of Health presence.
Membership has been carefully organised as far
as possible to ensure that the groups/organisations cover a wide
geographical area, and that people from a cross-section of society
particularly from under represented groups have an opportunity
to contribute. Where possible, member organisations are drawn
from umbrella groups that are in touch with a range of related
organisations. This enables a systematic process for a two-way
dialogue with a broader range of non-Governmental organisations
(in related areas of interest to their own) than can be part of
the Forum.
The successful inaugural meeting discussed a
number of issues including best ways to implement Saving Lives:
Our Healthier Nation; the establishment of regional fora;
and a strategy for developing training opportunities and skills
in public health. Members of the Forum met again on 20 April at
the Health Development Agency's headquarters to explore ways that
they can work with the Agency. The next meeting of the full Forum
is on 7 September.
Appendix 1 to Annex J
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Forum will:
— provide expertise and advice to the
Department of Health on the contribution that non-Governmental
public health organisations can make to the development, implementation
and delivery of Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation and
related public health policies;
— encourage integrated working between
non-Governmental public health organisations, other Government
departments, statutory and other agencies;
— share information between non-Governmental
public health organisations and Government on public health policy
implementation;
— seek input from a wide range of non-Governmental
public health organisations to the work of the Forum and facilitate
communication with them;
— suggest possible areas of research
to the Department of Health.
Appendix 2 to Annex J
MEMBER ORGANISATIONS
Age Concern
British Medical Association
Cancer Research Campaign
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Child Poverty Action Group
College of Health
Commission for Racial Equality
Community Development and Health Network
Community Education Development Centre
Community Practitioners and Health Visitors
Association
Consumers Association
Faculty of Public Health Medicine
Family Planning Association
Health Development Agency
Health for All (UK)
Local Government Association
MIND
National Children's Bureau
National Council for Voluntary Organisations
(NCVO)
National Heart Forum
NHS Confederation
Patients' Association
Royal College of General Practitioners
Royal College of Nursing
Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene
Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Society of Health Education and Promotion Specialists
(SHEPS)
Society of Local Authority Chief Executives
(SOLACE)
Royal Society for the Promotion of Health
Standing Conference for Community Development
The Stroke Association
The Scarman Trust
United Kingdom Public Health Association (UKPHA)
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