Public health became a local authority responsibility in April, with councils in control of public health issues such as tackling smoking. Photograph: AlamyThe transfer of public health responsibility to local authorities this April marked a turning point in how local health issues are tackled. But, five months on, what has been learned, and where do we go from here?
Richard Humphries, assistant director of policy at the King's Fund, recently commented on how the relationship between the NHS and local government has changed. He said:
Our latest research is encouraging. Relationships between councils and clinical commissioning groups are generally good, and getting better. The new health and wellbeing boards are investing time in developing relationships and joint strategies are in place.
Questions remain, he said, including how far councils will support NHS partners in delivering local services and whether austerity will compel change or damage the local relationships.
Humphries said: "This will play out differently; places with a tradition of good local relationships have a better chance of weathering the financial storm." With this in mind what do councils need to do to ensure that they build a strong relationship in the future?
• What has been learned from experiences so far?
• What are the areas of highest priority?
• How can councils use the powers available to them to really make a difference?
• What approach should councils adopt?
• Do councils need more powers?
Join us 25 September from 12pm-2pm to discuss, or leave your comments and questions now.
Expert panel:
Edward Davie is a Lambeth councillor and chair of Lambeth council's health and adult social services scrutiny committee.
Jonathan McShane sits on the Local Government Association community wellbeing board, leading on sexual health and public health services. He is a councillor in Hackney, east London.
Steven Howell is senior policy and communications officer at local government thinktank Localis.
Mary Black is a medical doctor, a consultant in public health and director of public health designate for the London borough of Havering.
Helen Walters leads the health team in the mayor of London's office and works for Public Health England. She is a public health specialist with experience of working in local government, the NHS and as a GP
Liz Saunders is associate director of public health at Surrey county council.
Oswin Baker founded Rockpool Research Associates, a network of researchers with expertise in local government and healthcare.
Tom Scanlon has been director of public health in Brighton and Hove since 2002. He also practises as a sessional GP and is an Honorary Senior Research Associate at University College London Centre for International Health and Development.
Janet Atherton is president at Association of Directors of Public Health . She has been a local director of public health since 1998, first in Wirral and then Sefton in Merseyside.
Anne Bowers is an associate director at healthcare consultancy PPL.
Anna Quigley leads public sector health research at Ipsos Mori, including research with the general public and people within the health sector about public health issues.
• What do you think? Email sarah.marsh@theguardian.com if you want to contribute an article to this debate.
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