Phoenix
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into the development, operation and functioning of the public health system in England following structural reforms: a case study of approaches to tackling obesity.
IRAS ID
182754
Contact name
Stephen Peckham
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
The public health system in England has undergone substantial reorganisation following the most wide-ranging reforms of the NHS in its lifetime, brought about by the Health and Social Care Act (2012). In addition to the radical transformation of health services leadership and commissioning, the responsibilities and funding for improving health and reducing health inequalities have passed from local NHS organisations to local authorities. The rationale is that local authorities will be better able to deliver health improvements in local populations than the NHS has been, particularly through tackling some of the wider social determinants of health.
This research project is examining the functioning of the public health system within that context of change. It is exploring the impacts of structural changes at national, regional and local levels on the planning, organisation, commissioning and delivery of health improvement services in general, and obesity prevention and management in particular. As a collaborative effort between public health practitioners/decision makers and university researchers, this research will provide important understanding and insights about the implications of the health sector reforms on the public health system. It aims to identify the extent to which, how and why: key opportunities within the new system are being realised; key challenges are being overcome; and key concerns are addressed.
The research is being led by a team within the Policy Research Unit on Commissioning and the Healthcare System (PRUComm ), on behalf of the Department of Health. It is a 33-month study, which commenced in April 2013, incorporating multiple methods based on a case-study approach, but also incorporating national surveys of key agents within the public health system.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A