Public health is about preventing disease, protecting people from threats to their health and keeping people healthy for longer. It encourages society and personal responsibility for changes to better health and minimise the risk and impact of illness.
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 transferred responsibility for certain public health functions to councils.
Following the transfer, the Bromley Public Health team is working with council colleagues to weave public health into the fabric of council responsibilities. Public health key responsibilities fall under health improvement, health protection and public health advice. Although not an exhaustive list, the team commissions NHS Health Checks, sexual health services, the National Child Measurement Programme, 0-4 years child health service and interventions to manage drugs and alcohol abuse.
The Director of Public Health has a further duty to publish an annual report on the health of the population. You can find further advice and guidance on public health services, health conditions and staying healthy in Bromley
Health and Wellbeing Board
The Health and Wellbeing Board is a committee of the council whose remit is to identify the local community’s health needs, agree priorities and encourage health commissioners to work in a more joined up way.
Health and Wellbeing Boards are a key part of broader plans to modernise the NHS to:
- ensure stronger democratic legitimacy and involvement,
- strengthen working relationships between health and social care,
- encourage the development of more integrated commissioning of services.
The board brings together Bromley councillors, local government officers including the Director of Public Health and the Director of Education, Care and Health Services, GPs who form part of Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group and Healthwatch (the consumer voice for health and social care).
Information on meeting dates and membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
The aim of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is to deliver an understanding of the current and future health and wellbeing needs of the local population over both the short and long term.
More information and the latest JSNA reports.
Statement on fair processing
Bromley Council has a duty to improve the health of our residents. To help us do this, we use data and information from a range of sources including the Office for National Statistics, NHS Digital, Clinical Commissioning Groups and hospitals to understand more about the nature and causes of disease and ill health in Bromley. For further information please refer to the fair processing notice.