The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) welcomed today’s statement from the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey announcing plans for a new Regional Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland.
Dr Jane Wilde, IPH Chief Executive said:
“A new Regional Public Health Agency is a welcome and inspiring initiative for stronger, more coordinated action for public health in Northern Ireland. In the last week, C Difficile, the harm done by alcohol abuse and the impact of poverty have all dominated headlines. We welcome the Minister’s commitment to create a world class public health service to address these challenges in Northern Ireland.
We support the Minister’s acknowledgement that public health should be at the heart of government and that cross departmental efforts are needed to improve public health and tackle the appalling health inequalities we face.”
IPH also welcomes the Chair of the Health Committee, Mrs Iris Robinson’s statement which backed the Minister, that the DHSSPS and every government department and agency across Northern Ireland should be included in the consultation. The new proposals aim to recreate stronger relationships between public health and local government.
Dr Wilde added:
“In a democracy, responsibility for decisions on public health must involve local representatives and the public. IPH supports the proposal that elected representatives should be appointed to the Board of the new Public Health Agency.
The Minister’s radical proposals will complement our recent award of a UK Centre of Public Health Excellence to Queen's University Belfast (QUB) and the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH). We share public health challenges North and South. The opportunity to act to transform the health of people across the island has been given a boost in today’s announcement and IPH looks forward to playing its part in making this happen.”
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For further information contact Arlene McKay on +44 (0)28 90 648494/ +44 (0)7734903944
Notes to editor
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) was set up to seek practical advantages from building cooperation for public health between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We work in four areas: policy advice, information, research and capacity building and our objective is to tackle inequalities in health and improve the health of the public.
