Consultation open on Public Health proposals; NHS Operating Framework

Consultation and further details on the new proposals for Public Health have been released by the Department of Health:

Healthy lives, healthy people: consultation on the funding and commissioning routes for public health

The consultation seeks views on the proposed delivery and funding arrangements for public health services as outlined in the recent Public Health White Paper. As part of the wider NHS reform plans, the proposals include the creation of Public Health England to oversee a ring-fenced budget. Locally, public health responsibility will be transferred to local authorities to deliver through Health and Well being boards, including responsibilty for drug and alcohol treatment provision.

The consultation closes on 31 March 2011 and responses can be submitted online here.

Also recently released was the The Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2011/12 which sets out the next steps for NHS reform. A new national drugs strategy also recently outlined implciations for alcohol treatment.