DH plans over public health are “confused,” say experts

The government’s plans to create a new public health body within the Department of Health and change responsibility for public health accountability are “confused,” MPs have been told.

Public health experts giving evidence to the parliamentary health select committee on 17 May told the MPs of their concerns about responsibility and accountability for public health under the reforms proposed in the Health and Social Care Bill.

The committee was holding the first public oral evidence session of its new inquiry into the management of and opportunities for public health.

Professor David Hunter, director of the Centre for Public Policy and Health at Durham University, giving evidence, said the Health Bill, in its current form, …