LGA hails "momentous" transfer of public health services for under-fives

The move, which takes place on Thursday (1 October), will see local authorities take over from the NHS commissioning of public health services for under-fives so that they will be the lead organisation for children's health and wellbeing across all age ranges. 

Izzi Seccombe, chair of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said the transfer will lead to a "more joined-up approach to healthcare” that will also improve access to services.

She said: "The transfer of public health commissioning responsibilities for under-fives to councils marks a momentous opportunity to transform healthcare for children, young people and families.

"It is one of the biggest shifts in public health services in generations. For councils, this is the final piece of the jigsaw after public health responsibilities transferred in 2013."

The transfer covers health visiting and family nursing services, as well as early years  checks that are part of the Healthy Child Programme.

"Health visitors are at the frontline of children's healthcare and are perfectly positioned to spot problems early and stop them from escalating,” added Seccombe.

Responsibility for commissioning services for older children was transferred in April 2013.

Earlier this month, Eustace de Sousa, children's lead at Public Health England, said he was confident that councils would be ready to take on the commissioning responsibilities for under-fives by 1 October.

He said it will allow local authorities to organise services more efficiently, and give them greater ability to integrate the Healthy Child Programme with other services, such as family support and parenting programmes.

De Sousa is one of the speakers at CYP Now's Early Help: Opportunities, Challenges and Best Practice conference to be held on 30 September at the Inmarsat Conference Centre in London.