Health Protection Agency

Defunct UK government agency responsible for public health protection

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) was a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom that operated from 2003 until 2013. It was established to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. The agency was instrumental in providing advice and information to the public, healthcare professionals, and government bodies.

History

The HPA was formed in 2003 by merging several existing organizations, including the Public Health Laboratory Service, the National Radiological Protection Board, and the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research. The agency was created to consolidate efforts in protecting public health and to provide a unified response to health threats.

In 2013, the HPA was abolished and its functions were transferred to Public Health England, a new executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. This transition was part of a broader reorganization of public health services in England.

Functions

The primary role of the HPA was to protect the public from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. It achieved this through several key functions:

• Surveillance and Monitoring: The HPA conducted surveillance of infectious diseases and environmental hazards to detect and respond to outbreaks and incidents.
• Research and Development: The agency carried out research to improve understanding of health threats and to develop new methods for prevention and control.
• Advisory Services: The HPA provided expert advice to the government, healthcare professionals, and the public on health protection issues.
• Emergency Response: The agency was responsible for coordinating responses to health emergencies, such as disease outbreaks and chemical spills.

Structure

The HPA was structured into several divisions, each focusing on different aspects of health protection:

• Centre for Infections: Focused on infectious disease surveillance and control.
• Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards: Dealt with non-infectious hazards such as radiation and chemical threats.
• Regional Offices: Provided localized support and coordination for health protection activities across the UK.

Legacy

The HPA played a crucial role in managing public health threats during its decade of operation. Its work laid the foundation for the current public health infrastructure in the UK, particularly in the areas of infectious disease control and environmental health.

The headquarters of the Health Protection Agency

Related pages

• Public Health England
• Department of Health and Social Care
• Infectious disease
• Environmental health