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Public health to become council's responsibility





From April 1, 2013, the responsibility for public health will transfer from the NHS to district local councils across the country.
Overnight, West Berkshire Council will become responsible for championing campaigns, such as reducing obesity, curbing alcohol and tobacco consumption, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
The council will also have the authority to commission services and oversee screening programmes.
In preparation for the transfer, the council has agreed to employ an assistant director of public health for the district.
The assistant director will be supported by a small team of commissioning officers and will report to a county-wide director to be based in Bracknell.
Chairman of the council’s health and wellbeing board, councillor Graham Jones (Con, Lambourn) said: “Public health used to be the responsibility of councils prior to 1974, so in some sense the service is coming home.
“There is logic here, too, since the council already provides a lot of related services such as the promotion of healthy eating and food hygiene, the benefits of walking and cycling and exercise at our network of leisure centres.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the public health service come on board, so we can ensure all our work to nurture public health and wellbeing throughout the local population is co-ordinated to maximum effect.”
Arrangements for the transfer of funding from the NHS have yet to be finalised.



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