NHS could take over key public health functions

The NHS and government will look at funding key public health services from the NHS budget, the long-term plan has said.

They will “consider whether there is a stronger role for the NHS in commissioning sexual health services, health visitors, and school nurses, and what best future commissioning arrangements might therefore be”.

These services are currently funded from the local authority public health budget, which is set by central government. The new budget for 2020-21 onwards is due to be announced in the spring spending review.

Full story on HSJ, 7 January 2019