To provide Cabinet with assurance that the Public Health Transition Project is on course to achieve the safe transfer of legal responsibility for Public Health from Herefordshire Primary Care Trust to Herefordshire Council in April 2013, and to inform Cabinet about the scope of those new legal responsibilities and the opportunity they give the Council to improve the health and wellbeing of the people in Herefordshire.

Cabinet noted that:

a)    the Public Health Transition Project is on course to achieve the safe transfer of legal responsibility for Public Health from Herefordshire Primary Care Trust to Herefordshire Council in April 2013,

b)    the scope of the public health responsibilities that are transferring to Local Authorities in April 2013 creating new opportunities for improving the health and wellbeing of people in Herefordshire,

c)    the intention to present a further report to Cabinet seeking agreement of Herefordshire Council’s Vision for Public Health and to provide an update on progress of the Public Health Transition Project.

To provide assurance to Cabinet about the safe transfer of responsibility for public health from Herefordshire Primary Care Trust to Herefordshire Council in April 2013, and to inform Cabinet about the scope of those new responsibilities and the opportunity they create to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Herefordshire.

No alternative options were considered as the changes come about as a result of the Health and Social Care Act (2012).

Consultation with all members of HPS LT, formal acceptance of update to take place on 12^th June 2012

As part of the plan, communication and engagement activities will take place during 2012/13 with:

1)    Staff directly affected by Public Health Transition;

2)    Receiving organisations (including Herefordshire Council)

3)    Wider stakeholders

4)    Continue to provide information on the new health and wellbeing system for stakeholders with HPS and in the wider community, building on the wide range of events that have already been undertaken in Herefordshire (e.g. HWB development programme, locality community events etc.)