Health Protection Agency welcomes publication of Public Health White Paper – Healthy Lives Healthy People

30 November 2010

David Heymann, Chairman of the HPA, said, "This paper sets out the Government's commitment to health protection and to integrating and strengthening existing public health functions. It is encouraging to see that Public Health England will encompass all the current functions of the HPA, which are so crucial in protecting health."

Justin McCracken, Chief Executive of the HPA said: "We are pleased to see the positive references in the White Paper to many of our important health protection activities such as improved surveillance and information; improving evidence through research, and world-leading science; professional development and specialist and reference microbiology and biological standards.

"The paper also sets out plans for Health Protection Units to continue to act as the local delivery arm of Public Health England, providing consistent, high quality specialist health protection as part of the national public health service.  It will now be important to work closely with local public health colleagues, in particular Directors of Public Health, to clearly define new working relationships.

 "We will continue to work closely with the Department of Health over the coming months in the development of Public Health England and in particular will be examining some issues in more detail. For example, a critical element in the HPA's successful service delivery is the independence of its expert advice and robust arrangements will need to be put in place to ensure public trust and confidence in this is maintained under Public Health England."

He continued: "It is important that our health protection capability is not weakened either by compromising our ability to generate external income through provision of services or by reduction in Government funding for these frontline services (as part of the current spending cuts). Plans for emergency response arrangements will also need to be clarified in the near future, particularly with the impending London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Since its establishment in 2003, the HPA has successfully combined national and local health protection expertise and has responded to many high profile incidents such as swine flu and Polonium-210. Our staff have shown great commitment and will continue to deliver a high quality service during this time of change."  

Notes to editors:

1. A copy of the Public Health White Paper - Healthy Lives, Healthy People is available from the Department of Health website.
2. Media requiring further information should contact the HPA press office on 020 7759 2824/2834.
3. More information is available on our website www.hpa.org.uk
   

Last reviewed: 30 November 2010