On Wednesday 2 November, the British Medical Association (BMA) agreed with the Health Select Committee’s request that the new public health body must be independent of the government, a request they have been calling for since the publication of the government’s White Paper on public health, Healthy Lives, Healthy People, in November 2010.

According to the report, the committee concludes that Public Health England (PHE) must act and be perceived as independent of the government.

Dr Richard Jarvis, Co-Chair of the British Medical Association’s Public Health Committee, explained:

“We are very pleased that the Health Select Committee has taken on board the BMA’s views. We have stressed to the Committee, and to the government, that in order to protect public health, it is essential that Public Health England has genuine independence and the resources to make decisions free from constraints of central government.

At a time when the NHS faces unprecedented financial challenges, it is also vital that funding for public health is protected so that doctors and specialists in this area can work towards improving the health of the nation and reducing health inequalities.”

In addition, the Health Select Committee report has repeated several concerns that the BMA have regarding the government’s reforms on public health. For example, that the NHS Commissioning Board needs public health input, that its crucial for Health Education England to oversee public health training, and for the statutory regulation of all public health specialists.

Dr. Jarvis said:

“The Committee picks up on the damage that the reforms have already inflicted on the public health workforce, both in terms of job losses and poor morale.

We hope that the government acts on these concerns and takes the necessary steps to make its reforms workable, both through making amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill and by redoubling its efforts to protect the public health workforce.”

Furthermore, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA’s Director of Professional Activities, concurs with the Committee’s discoveries that the policy of “nudging” is not likely to fix vital public health issues, such as alcohol abuse and obesity. Nathanson said:

“Responsibility Deals that allow the food and alcohol industry to dictate public health policy are not the answer to either the obesity epidemic or the alcohol misuse crisis that the country is facing. These issues are complex but the government needs to have the courage to make tough decisions like introducing a minimum price on alcohol and mandatory food labeling.”

Written by Grace Rattue