What they do

They exist to protect and improve the nation's health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities.

 

Responsibilities

They are responsible for:

-making the public healthier by encouraging discussions, advising government and supporting action by local government, the NHS and other people and organisations

-supporting the public so they can protect and improve their own health

-protecting the nation’s health through the national health protection service, and preparing for public health emergencies

-sharing their information and expertise with local authorities, industry and the NHS, to help them make improvements in the public’s health

-researching, collecting and analysing data to improve their understanding of health and come up with answers to public health problems

-reporting on improvements in the public’s health so everyone can understand the challenge and the next steps

-helping local authorities and the NHS to develop the public health system and its specialist workforce

 

They do this through world-class science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and providing specialist public health services.

 

Priorities

PHE’s strategic plan sets out how PHE intends to achieve its aims over the next 4 years and outlines the key actions it will be taking over the next year to protect and improve the public’s health and reduce inequalities.

 

Who they are

They are an executive agency of the Department of Health, and a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy to advise and support government, local authorities and the NHS in a professionally independent manner.

They employ 5,000 staff (full-time equivalent), mostly scientists, researchers and public health professionals.

They have 8 local centres, plus an integrated region and centre for London, and 4 regions (north of England, south of England, Midlands and east of England, and London).

They work closely with public health professionals in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and internationally.

Public Health England was established on 1 April 2013 to bring together public health specialists from more than 70 organisations into a single public health service.