Health Committee publishes Public Health report

The House of Commons Health Select Committee, of which Valerie is a member, has published its report into Public Health today, 2nd November 2011.

Valerie said:

“This report highlights several important concerns about the future of public health.  The Committee has emphasised that the new public health body for England must be – and must be seen to be – independent.  The report also calls for more clarity on who will be responsible in the case of a public health emergency, for example a flu pandemic.

“The Committee has also highlighted concerns about the loss of Public Health Observatories in London, the North East and the North West, and the so-called ‘Health Premium’ which appears to target resources away from those areas who face the greatest outstanding public health challenges.

“The Committee is not convinced of the effectiveness of the Government’s new Responsibility Deal, which is supposed to tackle obesity and alcohol abuse.  In my view, the Health Secretary’s ‘nudging’ strategy is not sufficient.  I am concerned about the involvement of fast food companies, drinks manufacturers and supermarkets in developing public health policy.”

The report can be found at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/health-committee/news/report—public-health-/