Public Health Scotland
Public Health Scotland (PHS[1]) (Scottish Gaelic: Slàinte Poblach na h-Alba) is the national public health body for Scotland.[2][3] It is a Special NHS Health Board, and it is jointly accountable to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and the Scottish Government. Fully exercising its functions from 1 April 2020 as Scotland's leading national agency for improving and protecting the health and well-being of all of Scotland's people, it is jointly sponsored by COSLA and the Scottish Government, and collaborates with third sector organisations.[4]
Public Health Agency overview | |
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Formed | 1 April 2020 |
Preceding Public Health Agency | |
Jurisdiction | Scotland |
Headquarters | Edinburgh, Scotland |
Employees | 1,100 (approx.) |
Annual budget | £47.9m (2020-21) |
Ministers responsible |
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Deputy Minister responsible | |
Public Health Agency executive |
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Website | www |
Its role is to increase healthy life expectancy and reduce premature mortality. Areas of focus are COVID-19, mental health and well-being, community and place, and poverty and children.[5]
The board's first chief executive is Angela Leitch, formerly chief executive of East Lothian Council.[6]
Origins
The board arose from a reorganisation of public health in Scotland, outlined in the 2015 Review of Public Health and further developed in the 2016 Health and Social Care Delivery Plan.[7][8] Public Health Scotland came into existence on 7 December 2019 under the Public Health Scotland Order 2019 and then property, rights and liabilities were transferred to it on 1 April 2020.[9]
A predecessor, Health Protection Scotland, continues to operate as part of Public Health Scotland.[10] PHS also took over the functions of NHS Scotland's Information Services Division, providing statistics and data analysis.[11]
References
- "Launch of new digital and data strategy for Public Health Scotland". Public Health Scotland. 28 June 2021.
- "New national public health body 'Public Health Scotland': consultation - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- "Public Health Scotland: information notice - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- "Our vision and values". Public Health Scotland. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- "Our areas of work". Public Health Scotland. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- "Public Health Scotland first Chief Executive appointed". www.rehis.com. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- "2015 Review of Public Health in Scotland: Strengthening the Function and re-focusing action for a healthier Scotland - gov.scot". www.gov.scot.
- "Health and social care delivery plan - gov.scot". www.gov.scot.
- "The Public Health Scotland Order 2019". legislation.gov.uk.
- "About us". Health Protection Scotland. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- "Information Services Division". www.isdscotland.org. Retrieved 23 August 2020.