The Health Protection Agency's role is to provide an integrated approach to protecting UK public health through the provision of support and advice to the NHS, local authorities, emergency services, other Arms Length Bodies, the Department of Health and the Devolved Administrations. The Agency was established as a special health authority (SpHA) in 2003.
On 1 April 2005, the Agency was established as a non-departmental public body, replacing the HPA SpHA and the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and with radiation protection as part of health protection incorporated in its remit.
The HPA has a large network of approximately 3000 staff based at three major centres (Colindale, Porton and Chilton) and regionally and locally throughout England. There is a small central office based in London. The Agency works closely with locally based colleagues employed within the Devolved Administrations.
The Centre for Infections at Colindale is the base for communicable disease surveillance and specialist microbiology. The Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards is based at Chilton and the Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, focusing on applied microbiological research and emergency response, is based at Porton.
Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response »
The Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response plays an important role in preparing for and co-ordinating responses to potential healthcare emergencies, including possible acts of deliberate release. In addition, we undertake both basic and applied research into understanding infectious diseases and manufacture a number of healthcare products, including vaccines and therapeutics.
Centre for Infections »
The Centre for Infections (CfI) carries out a range of work on the prevention of infectious disease. The remit includes infectious disease surveillance, providing specialist and reference microbiology and microbial epidemiology, co-ordinating the investigation and cause of national and uncommon outbreaks, helping advise government on the risks posed by various infections and responding to international health alerts.
Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards »
The HPA Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards comprises the Radiation Protection Division (formerly the National Radiological Protection Board) and the Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division. The headquarters for the Centre is based at Chilton in Oxfordshire.
Local services »
Local and Regional Health Protection Agency services work alongside the NHS providing specialist support in communicable disease and infection control, and emergency planning. They also oversee some laboratory services.