To get ahead of the public health game, make contact with local councillors

摘要

FROM April 2013, Public Health England will delegate responsibility for commissioning public health services to local authorities, which from then on will be charged with promoting joint commissioning and an integrated delivery of health and social care for adults and children aged over five years. Key documents to support public health commissioning — "Public Health England's operating model" and "Public health in local government: commissioning responsibilities" — already detail the list of public health responsibilities for local authorities. Many — including tobacco control and smoking cessation services, alcohol and drug misuse services, interventions to tackle obesity, and comprehensive sexual health services (including contraception outside of the GP contract) — will resonate with community pharmacies currently delivering local enhanced services.