Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Rejected
Paragraph: 56
Reconsider mandating public health representatives on Integrated Care Boards to prioritise prevention
Recommendation
We have previously recommended that all ICBs should include a public health representative, such as a public health director, and that DHSC considers making this a mandatory requirement. In response, the Department said it agreed that prevention needs to be a priority, but emphasised the importance of protecting ICS autonomy. The evidence that we have heard in this inquiry reaffirms our view that having the right people in place is crucial to ensuring the prevention agenda is not crowded out. Given what we have heard about impact that these individuals can have in ensuring a longer-term focus, we recommend that DHSC reconsiders the case for mandating representatives in this role.
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to reconsider mandating public health representatives on ICBs, stating it has no plans to alter the Health and Care Act 2022 and emphasizing ICB autonomy and existing duties for local authorities to provide public health advice.
Paragraph Reference:
56
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Decline We fully recognise and support the important roles played by local directors of public health and their teams, including in furthering core aims of integrated care systems to improve population health and tackle inequalities. However, we have no plans to alter the provisions of the Health and Care Act 2022 which set out mandatory membership requirements for integrated care boards (ICBs). ICBs can exceed the legislative minimum requirements for membership to address local needs. It is for the local authority, with the ICB and other partner organisations, to determine who best represents the needs of local populations, and this can include directors of public health. Independent of issues of ICB membership, local authorities have a duty to provide ICBs with a public health advice service as per regulations made under the NHS Act 2006. Similarly, ICBs have a legal duty to seek appropriate advice on matters including prevention and the protection or improvement of public health. Local public health teams should be an integral part of multidisciplinary working across place-based partners. Guidance for ICBs on delivering a quality public health function has been published, endorsed by NHS England, the Association of Directors of Public Health, the Local Government Association and the Faculty of Public Health: NHS England » Delivering a quality public health function in integrated care boards DHSC will continue to work closely with NHS England and ICBs to ensure that the current arrangements are working.