Public Health England scrapped: Calls for clarity on future of support for babies

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock today unveiled the new National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP) set to protect the public against external threats to the UK, pandemics and infectious diseases.

The new initiative will “bring together Public Health England (PHE) and NHS Test and Trace, as well as the analytical capability of the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) under a single leadership team,” said Hancock.

He added that work under the NIHP would begin “immediately” with the merger formalised and operating from spring 2021.

However, more than 40 charities making up campaign group the First 1,001 Days Movement have called for clarity on the role of PHE in supporting babies and new mothers.

The movement, which campaigns over issues affecting the emotional wellbeing of babies up to two years old, said: “There was no clarity this morning about the future of PHE’s role in improving outcomes in the first 1001 days. We hope the Department of Health and Social Care will consult with the wider sector before making decisions about these critical functions.”

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In a lengthy statement the movement highlights work carried out by PHE to support local authorities and the NHS to improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of babies, toddlers and their parents. 

It also noted its role in defining the healthy child programme which lays out support expected to be received by all children in England as well as overseeing the delivery of the family nurse partnership, and providing guidance for services supporting families including health visitors.

The First 1,001 Days Movement said: “During any restructure of Public Health England, we urge the government to think carefully about national oversight of, and support for, public health services for babies and their families. 

“Government must avoid taking rapid action to change PHE’s role and structure without full consultation and understanding the consequences of this action, particularly at this time when local services are depleted and struggling with the effects of the pandemic.”

Despite a heavy focus on Covid-19 and infectious diseases, the Health and Social Care Secretary vowed that “preventing ill health and reducing health inequalities also remains a top priority” for the NIHP which will be led by conservative peer Baroness Dido Harding.

However, it’s main responsibilities listed by the government include: 

• NIHP local health protection teams to deal with infections and other threats

• support and resources for local authorities to manage local outbreaks

• the COVID-19 testing programme

• contact tracing

• the Joint Biosecurity Centre

• emergency response and preparedness to deal with the most severe incidents at national and local level

• research and reference laboratories and associated services

• specialist epidemiology and surveillance of all infectious diseases

• the Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards

• global health security

• providing specialistic scientific advice on immunisation and countermeasures

Hancock said: “The National Institute for Health Protection will bring together the expertise of PHE with the enormous response capabilities of NHS Test and Trace and the Joint Biosecurity Centre to put us in the best possible position for the next stage of the fight against Covid-19 and for the long term.”