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Integration, influence and change in public health: findings from a survey of Directors of Public Health in England

Jenkins, Linda M., Bramwell, D., Coleman, A., Gadsby, Erica W., Peckham, Stephen, Perkins, N., Segar, J. (2015) Integration, influence and change in public health: findings from a survey of Directors of Public Health in England. Journal of Public Health, . ISSN 1741-3842. E-ISSN 1741-3850. (doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdv139) (KAR id:51287)

Abstract

Background Following the Health and Social Care Act in England, public health teams were formally transferred from the NHS to local authorities in April 2013.

Methods Online survey of Directors of Public Health (DsPH) in local authorities in England (n = 152) to investigate their experience within local government 1 year on. Tests of association were used to explore relationships between the perceived integration and influence of public health, and changes in how the public health budget was being spent.

Results The organization of and managerial arrangements for public health within councils varied. Most DsPH felt that good relationships had been established within the council, and the move had made them more able to influence priorities for health improvement, even though most felt their influence was limited. Changes in commissioning using the public health budget were already widespread and included the de-commissioning of services.

Conclusions There was a widespread feeling amongst DsPH that they had greater influence since the reforms, and that this went across the local authority and beyond. Public health's influence was most apparent when the transfer of staff to local government had gone well, when collaborative working relationships had developed, and when local partnership groups were seen as being effective.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1093/pubmed/fdv139
Uncontrolled keywords: Organizations, public health, relationships
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General) > R729 Types of medical practice
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Stephen Peckham
Date Deposited: 30 Oct 2015 09:30 UTC
Last Modified: 29 Oct 2021 14:37 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/51287 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Jenkins, Linda M..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Gadsby, Erica W..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4151-5911
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Peckham, Stephen.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7002-2614
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