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Public health reform - boring?

Been writing about public health for HSJ. Compared to the NHS white paper, which was a gripping if frightening read, the public health white paper is quite frankly boring. But that is partly just style. What is actually happening is fascinating - public health is returning to its ancestral home in local government. Power tussles are taking place between directors of social services and the new directors of public health. Health improvement and public health commissioning advice are opening up to any willing provider (or any qualified provider).

Most strikingly, this localist coalition is setting up municipal public health with lots of responsibility, very little money and virtually no national legislative support. Health and wellbeing boards could make up for this by being powerful entities that ensure decision-making is high profile and in the public interest, and can challenge central government. But if they are not, the future doesn't look so bright.

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