Public health


Calls for urgent investment in mental health recovery 07/08/2020 Investment in mental health is crucial to seeing the country through the next phases of the pandemic, a new report has said today.
Hancock's new rules to halt COVID spread 31/07/2020 New rules on social gatherings have been introduced in Northern England as the number of COVID cases has started to rise.
A third of council-owned pools will stay closed this year 27/07/2020 Nearly a third of council-owned swimming pools could remain closed until next year, new research has revealed.
Councils call for public health funding to avert obesity crisis 27/07/2020 Council leaders have warned that the Government must reverse public health funding cuts in order for any new obesity strategy to be successful.
Millions more people to be offered free flu vaccine 24/07/2020 More than 30 million people in England will be offered a free flu vaccination in a bid to ease the pressure on the NHS this winter.
Hancock announces plans to share more data 20/07/2020 Health secretary Matt Hancock has announced plans to share more data with local government in a bid to help track and trace COVID-19 cases more effectively.
Councils call for action to ensure smoke-free pavements 20/07/2020 Councils have called for pavements outside pubs, bars and cafes to be smoke-free.
PM announces new powers for local lockdown 17/07/2020 Councils will get new powers to shut down premises in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus as we head towards the next phase of the pandemic, the Prime Minister has announced.
A million smokers quit during pandemic 15/07/2020 More than a million smokers have quit the habit since the start of the coronavirus crisis, figures have revealed today.
Blackburn with Darwen announces new local measures to control virus 15/07/2020 Blackburn with Darwen Council has introduced five new local measures to control the spread of coronavirus, including wearing masks in all enclosed public spaces.
Less than one in seven people are now smokers, data reveals 08/07/2020 The number of smokers in the UK has fallen from 14.7% in 2018 to 14.1% in 2019, according to official figures.
Local authorities need extra resources to lead contact tracing now 02/07/2020 Pascale Robinson explains why local public health teams are best placed to lead contract tracing services.
Local public health teams should manage contact tracing, poll reveals 02/07/2020 Two-thirds of the public want local public health teams to be in charge of the contact tracing system, a new poll has revealed.
Leicester locks down after surge in coronavirus 30/06/2020 England’s first local lockdown will begin in Leicester this week in a bid to combat a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Leicester could be first city to face local lockdown 29/06/2020 Leicester could be the first place in England to be placed in a local lockdown following a rise in the number of coronavirus cases, the home secretary warned over the weekend.
Combined authority 'spending reserves like it's going out of fashion' 17/06/2020 Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s chief executive has expressed doubts about whether his region would be able to cope with a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Racism raises the risk from COVID-19 for minorities 17/06/2020 Racism has raised the risk of people from black and ethnic minority communities developing COVID-19 and dying from the disease, says an official report.
Councils call for clarity on local lockdowns 16/06/2020 Councils this week called for clarity on the legal powers they will have if they are forced to implement local coronavirus lockdowns.
IFS exposes impact of COVID-19 on different areas 15/06/2020 The balance of protecting public health and returning to economic activity varies from one area to the next, research by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found.
The power of local systems to save lives 22/05/2020 Councils and their partners could do even more to contain the spread of COVID-19 if properly funded to undertake a robust localised system of testing, tracking and tracing, argues Professor Donna Hall.
Campaigners warn children more exposed to secondhand smoke since lockdown 14/05/2020 More than one in ten smokers who live with children are smoking indoors more since lockdown, new research has revealed today.
Leeds chief takes on key contract tracing role 13/05/2020 Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan will take on a key role in the Government’s contact tracing programme in the battle against coronavirus.
Helping smokers to quit during Covid-19 06/05/2020 Alan Sutherland calls on councils to make use of more digital tools to help smokers quit during Covid-19
'High risk' staff are being forced back, claims Unison 04/05/2020 Unison is demanding Milton Keynes Council steps back from what it says is a ‘rogue local plan’ to order staff in high risk categories back to work.
Around 300,000 quit smoking due to coronavirus 04/05/2020 Council leaders have welcomed figures that show around 300,000 people have quit smoking due to an increased risk from coronavirus.
Districts win in latest allocations 28/04/2020 Districts have won a significantly higher share of funding in the latest allocations of government cash to help councils cope with coronavirus.
Council staff will be deployed for Covid-19 contact tracing 21/04/2020 Council staff will be deployed to help spot, trace and isolate new cases of coronavirus, the Welsh Government has confirmed.
Officials warn coronavirus impact could trigger measles outbreak 15/04/2020 The UK is at risk of a measles outbreak if routine vaccinations are delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Measles & Rubella Initiative has warned.
Councils to be fully funded for coronavirus costs 18/03/2020 Councils in England will be fully funded for implementing measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, the chancellor has confirmed.
Electoral Commission calls for autumn polls 12/03/2020 May’s local elections should be postponed until the autumn, the Electoral Commission has said.
Jenrick launches taskforce to ‘strengthen’ plans to tackle coronavirus 10/03/2020 The local government secretary, Robert Jenrick, has launched a new taskforce to strengthen local plans to help tackle the outbreak of coronavirus.
Government to give volunteers job protection to help fight coronavirus 09/03/2020 New measures to make it easier for volunteers to help support health and social care services have been introduced by the Government in the fight against the coronavirus.
A fifth of public toilets lost in past decade 05/03/2020 More than a fifth (22%) of public toilets have been closed down since 2010 due to council funding cuts, a trade union has found.
Public health cuts ‘stall’ progress in children’s health 04/03/2020 Progress in children’s health and wellbeing has ‘stalled or is in reverse’ partly because of cuts to local authority budgets, study finds.
Council advises pupils to ‘self-isolate’ following Coronavirus fears 26/02/2020 Cheshire East Council has told pupils who have been to Italy where Coronavirus cases have been identified to ‘self-isolate’ as a precautionary measure.
Life expectancy stalls for the first time in a century 25/02/2020 Life expectancy has stopped improving for the first time in more than 100 years, and has actually declined for England’s poorest women, according to a new study.
England ‘unlikely’ to meet 2030 smoke-free target 25/02/2020 England will fail to reach the Government’s 2030 smoke-free target unless smoking in the poorest communities is tackled, research has revealed today.
Cuts will lead to tragedy, health visitors warn 20/02/2020 Nearly half of health visitors in England worry a tragedy is waiting to happen where they work due to cuts to public health budgets.
Councils cannot afford to roll-out anti-HIV drug 12/02/2020 Local authority leaders have warned that cash-strapped councils cannot afford to roll-out the anti-HIV drug PrEP without guarantees it will be fully funded.
London aims to be ‘first city’ to stop new HIV infections 05/02/2020 Over 30 organisations have joined together in an effort to make London the first city in the world to stop new HIV infections.
Public health cuts leading to 'spiralling' STI rates 05/02/2020 Local authority leaders have called for more investment into public health services as a new report reveals that there is an STI diagnosis every 70 seconds in England.
Nearly 300 children start smoking every day, figures show 03/02/2020 Campaigners have called for tobacco manufacturers to pay to end smoking after figures show 280 children in England start smoking every day.
Funding cuts put 2030 smokefree target ‘at risk’ 14/01/2020 Funding shortages for local tobacco control could put the 2030 smokefree target at risk, campaigners have warned today.
Planning system is ‘failing’ children’s rights, says report 29/11/2019 The planning system is neglecting the rights and needs of children, a new report has warned today.
Asbestos still ‘serious’ threat to public heath 25/11/2019 Asbestos can be still be found in 1.5 million public buildings putting people at risk of exposure, a think tank has warned.
Councils chiefs call for more powers to ‘restrict’ takeaways 12/11/2019 Local authorities have called for more planning powers to help them prevent takeaways from ‘clustering’ as part of the fight against health inequalities and obesity.
Policy action to secure the future health of young people 08/11/2019 We need to invest across housing, employment and transport to secure the health prospects of the next generation, argues Martina Kane.
Councils welcome increase in funeral expenses payments 06/11/2019 Councils leaders hope the increase in funeral expenses payments will help lower the number of public health funerals.
Think tanks calls for public health funding to be linked to NHS budgets 05/11/2019 Public health funding should be linked to increases in the NHS budget, a briefing published by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggests.
Thousands of inpatients with learning disabilities and autism to receive care review 05/11/2019 Thousands of people with learning disabilities and autism that have detained in a mental health hospital will have their care reviewed over the next 12 months, the Government announced today.
Councils chiefs call for more sexual health funding 25/10/2019 Local authority leaders have called on the Government to ensure that its updated sexual and reproductive health strategy is ‘fully funded’.
New academy to drive forward 'social prescription' 23/10/2019 Every patient with long-term health problems will be offered a 'social prescription' including arts, sport or leisure activities in a new Government initiative.
Nearly £2m awarded to projects improving health services for the homeless 22/10/2019 Nearly £2m has been awarded to six projects as part of an effort to help test models that improve access to health services for people sleeping rough.
Council chiefs call for investment into leisure facilities 18/10/2019 Local authority leaders have voiced concerns over the ability of councils to continue to provide leisure centres, which contribute to public health, without more Government investment.
Number of young people gambling is ‘emerging’ public health risk 16/10/2019 A new study has found an increasing number of young people are experimenting with gambling, making them more likely to be problem gamblers later in life.
Half of mental health patients with diabetes not receiving ‘vital checks’ 08/10/2019 A charity has called on the NHS to better integrate mental health and diabetes care after it was revealed that half of those needing treatment in both areas are not receiving vital checks.
Local councils aim to make communities 'seizure savvy' 02/10/2019 A new partnership to help local councils raise awareness of how to help someone having an epileptic fit has been launched.
Councils issue warning over toxic skin-lightening creams 30/09/2019 Local government leaders have warned of the dangers of skin-lightening creams that 'act like paint stripper' and increase the risk of cancer.
Councils voice concern over 'alarming' fall in childhood vaccination rates 27/09/2019 An 'alarming' fall in childhood vaccination rates should serve as a wake-up call to parents and authorities about the need for children to be protected against disease, local government leaders have warned.
Social care for smokers costing councils £720m a year 26/09/2019 Smoking-related social care is costing local authorities £720m a year, new research has revealed.
Cuts force councils to slash public health funding by £72m 16/09/2019 Local authorities plan to cut public health spending by £72m this year in response to reductions in Whitehall funding, the Labour Party says.
Ban junk food shops near schools, report argues 13/09/2019 Unhealthy fast food outlets within a five-minute walk from schools should be banned, a new report has argued today.
Charity calls for re-investment in public health grant 10/09/2019 A new study of health and social care spending has found that the Government focuses too much on acute services rather than investing in long-term preventative measures.
Think tank calls for councils to have powers over immigration post-Brexit 06/09/2019 Councils should be given powers after Brexit to issue visas to foreign workers based on their assessment of local need, according to think tank Localis.
New HIV diagnoses at lowest level since 2000 03/09/2019 Figures show that new diagnoses of HIV have fallen by a third in the UK since 2015, and are now at their lowest levels since 2000.
5G: Unlocking new opportunities for healthcare 28/08/2019 5G will be revolutionary for UK businesses and industry, but especially in the healthcare sector.
Drug poisoning deaths up 16% in face of public health cuts 16/08/2019 Council chiefs warn that cuts to public health grants are a ‘false economy’ which make it more difficult to provide support and treatment to drug users.
NHS Health Checks to be ‘modernised’, health secretary says 16/08/2019 Health secretary Matt Hancock has launched a review of NHS Health Checks with the aim of moving away from standardised checks towards more tailored programmes.
Air pollution could be causing a third of child asthma cases, study warns 08/08/2019 Air pollution could be the cause of up to a third of new cases of childhood asthma in Europe, according to a new study.
Dementia causes one in ten deaths, new figures show 07/08/2019 Dementia and Alzheimer's disease were the cause of more than a tenth of the registered deaths in England and Wales last year, according to new figures.
Campaigners call for 'calorie tax' to tackle obesity 07/08/2019 Companies producing high-calorie foods should be taxed to help tackle the 'obesity crisis', campaigners have demanded.
Calls for ugent investment in public playgrounds 05/08/2019 The decline in public playgrounds is ‘pushing’ children away from outdoor play, a new survey has revealed.
Council leaders join call for fairer public health funding 01/08/2019 Local authorities have backed a call by Cancer Research for the new Government to increase public health funding.
Councils report 'worrying rise' in body image drugs 29/07/2019 Council leaders have reported a ‘worrying’ increase in the number of people using illegal and dangerous body enhancing drugs.
Prevention green paper blasted as ‘shopping list of half-complete ideas’ 23/07/2019 Local authority leaders have criticised the Government’s prevention green paper as a ‘missed opportunity’ which neglects the role councils play in delivering public health services.
Homeless people denied access to healthcare, study finds 17/07/2019 Homeless people are being denied access to basic healthcare, a new study has revealed.
Parents urged to find time to take kids to the park 16/07/2019 Three-quarters of children would like to spend more time outdoors, according to a new survey published to coincide with Love Parks Week.
Diabetes in children up 50% in five years 15/07/2019 Council chiefs have warned of an 'obesity crisis’ as figures reveal the number of young people being treated for Type 2 diabetes increased 50% in five years.
Javid announces ‘public health duty’ to tackle violent crime 15/07/2019 Sajid Javid will this week announce a new legal duty which will require local authorities and other public bodies to prevent and tackle serious violence.
For local authorities, the social care crisis is about more than money 02/07/2019 David Cundy explains why reducing demand for social care means supporting people to age well.
Manchester’s rough sleeping scheme secures NHS funding 20/06/2019 NHS in Greater Manchester has agreed to allocate £1.5m to help tackle rough sleeping and homelessness across the region.
Children exposed to toxic air inside schools, report warns 18/06/2019 The quality of air inside and outside primary schools must be improved to protect children's health, campaigners have demanded.
Charities call for £1bn a year to reverse public health cuts 12/06/2019 Two health charities are calling on the Government to reverse the £1bn a year cuts to public health grants.
Local authorities will continue to commission public health services 10/06/2019 Councils will continue to commission local public health services, a government review has concluded.
Over half of the disease burden in England ‘preventable’ 04/06/2019 Local authority leaders have welcomed a report which urges the Government to increase investment into initiatives supporting public health.
Closure of public toilets ‘threat to health’, warns report 23/05/2019 The decline in public toilets is a threat to health, mobility, and equality, according to a public health body.
‘Significant’ variations in rates of dental visits, study finds 17/05/2019 Children living in areas of deprivation are more likely to visit the dentist compared to those in more affluent areas, a new study has revealed.
Call to ‘rethink’ public health investment 14/05/2019 A culture change is needed in the way local organisations evaluate long-term investment in prevention, a report has argued today.
Councils urged to apply for funding to improve health of rough sleepers 10/05/2019 Councils are being urged to bid for a share of £1.9m to help support rough sleepers living with a mental illness or substance abuse problem.
Prevention work for tackling obesity under threat from cuts, council chiefs say 09/05/2019 Early intervention by councils is ‘vital’ for dealing with obesity, council chiefs say as new figures reveal a 15% increase in hospital admissions where obesity was a factor.
Charity calls for £2.4bn Dementia Fund 08/05/2019 A report calling for a new £2.4bn Dementia Fund has received backing from 68 cross-party MPs.
Council chiefs call for ‘greater proportion’ of soft drinks levy 08/04/2019 Local authority leaders have called for a greater share of the soft drinks levy to go towards the public health budgets of councils.
E-learning tools launched to ‘boost’ public health knowledge 08/04/2019 The Government has launched a series of e-learning tools to help boost health and care professionals’ knowledge of the biggest issues in public health.
Councils to be part of ‘multi-agency initiative’ against knife crime 01/04/2019 Local authorities will be among the bodies involved in a multi-agency initiative against knife crime launched by home secretary Sajid Javid.
Inactivity linked to 70,000 deaths a year 26/03/2019 Spending too much time sitting around is linked to about 70,000 deaths a year in the UK, according to public health experts.
Health experts have revealed a big rise in the use of crack cocaine 26/03/2019 Public Health England says the number of adults starting treatment for crack addiction in the last three years has gone up by 19%.
Tuberculosis at ‘lowest levels’ since records began 22/03/2019 New cases of TB in England have fallen to the lowest levels since records began in 1960, new data reveals.
Health body announces £6m for alcohol treatments 22/03/2019 The Government today announced that £6m of capital funding will be made available to help councils increase access to alcohol treatments.
Charity warns people at risk of suffering poverty, ill-health and hardship in later life 13/03/2019 Action must be taken to create communities that enable older people to stay active, campaigners have urged.
Expansion of PrEP Impact Trial given the go-ahead 01/03/2019 Trials of the anti-HIV treatment PrEP are set to expand after local authorities agreed to commission extra places.

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