South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 23/10/2014

The report Paths to public health and wellbeing: examples of local authority action in the South West has been published today showcasing examples of public health work in 12 local authorities in the South West.

The 14 case studies highlight a wide range of local work including projects on sexual health, domestic violence and abuse, diabetes, obesity, as well as a look into the response of Public Health England and Somerset County Council during the flooding in early 2014, plus work to improve uptake of the MMR vaccine in Bristol.

The report identifies and presents work being carried out in the South West in the new integrated public health system, with a view to share good practice and lessons learned.

The report was put together by the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Public Health England (PHE) Centre in partnership with PHE South and the South West Network of Directors of Public Health.

Dr Shona Arora, Centre Director for the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Public Health England Centre said:

“Just a year after the changes came into effect, it was felt worthwhile to review what progress had been made, what emerging issues and challenges there might be and whether there were examples of emerging good practice.

“The case studies presented in the report show only a snapshot of the diversity of work being delivered in the South West in the new health and social care system.

“Some illustrate a focus on developing joint strategies and processes to provide a strong foundation for future work, others demonstrate emergency responses delivered in a newly integrated public health system, and several present innovative approaches to addressing specific health priorities.”

The case studies were nominated for inclusion by the directors of public health in the region under one of the four domains of public health:

• Health Protection: reducing the harm caused by communicable diseases and minimise the health impact from environmental hazards such as chemicals and radiation
• Health Improvement: supporting people to make healthier choices and reduce health inequalities
• Wider Determinants: addressing the social, economic and environmental factors that impact on health
• Healthcare Public Health: supporting sound decision making and policy changes within the NHS that deliver, evaluate and improve effective clinical preventive services that drive public health.

The report can be viewed online