Public Health England

Public Health England (PHE) was an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom, which began its operations on 1 April 2013, following the reorganisation of the public health system in England as outlined by the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Its primary role was to protect and improve the nation's health and wellbeing, and to reduce health inequalities. It was succeeded by the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in 2021.

History

Public Health England was established to bring together specialists from more than 70 organizations into a single public health service. It took over the role of the Health Protection Agency and a number of other health bodies. The formation of PHE was part of a broader reform of the NHS and public health system in England, aimed at creating a more integrated approach to healthcare and public health.

Functions

The main functions of Public Health England included:

• Health Protection: This involved responding to health emergencies, such as infectious disease outbreaks, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents, and extreme weather events. PHE provided expertise and support to the NHS, local authorities, and other agencies to manage these threats.
• Health Improvement: PHE worked to improve the health of the population through campaigns and interventions on issues such as smoking cessation, obesity, and physical activity. It also provided evidence-based guidance to support public health policy and practice.
• Healthcare Public Health: This area focused on ensuring that the NHS could meet the public's health needs effectively. PHE provided data, evidence, and expertise to inform decisions about healthcare services and to improve outcomes.
• Knowledge and Intelligence: PHE collected and analyzed data on the health of the population. This included running national health surveys, maintaining disease registries, and conducting research. The aim was to provide a strong evidence base for public health policy and practice.

Organizational Structure

Public Health England was led by a Chief Executive, supported by a team of directors responsible for different areas of public health. It operated through a network of regional and local centers, which worked closely with local authorities, the NHS, and other partners to deliver public health services.

Transition

In August 2020, the UK government announced that Public Health England would be merged into a new body, the UK Health Security Agency, which would focus on health protection and security. This new agency, along with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, took over the functions of PHE in April 2021. The reorganization aimed to strengthen the country's response to health threats like the COVID-19 pandemic and to improve the public's health more broadly.

Legacy

Public Health England played a critical role in the UK's public health landscape, particularly in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its work in health improvement, health protection, and healthcare public health laid the groundwork for its successor organizations. The transition to the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities marks a new chapter in the UK's approach to public health, building on the legacy of PHE.