Government publishes statutory guidance on role of director of public health

The Department of Health has published guidance on the statutory and non-statutory elements of the role of director of public health.

The document, which can be viewed here, is intended to set out the arrangements that would allow local authorities to “have confidence in their appointments”.

Every local authority with public health responsibilities is required to employ a specialist Director of Public Health (DPH). This follows the return of a leading public health role to local government under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

The appointment is made jointly with the Secretary of State for Health.

The Department said: “The post is an important and senior one. The DPH is a statutory chief officer of their authority and the principal adviser on all health matters to elected members and officers, with a leadership role spanning all three domains of public health – health improvement, health protection and healthcare public health.”

It added that local authorities must take the action that they decide is appropriate to improve the health of the people in their areas, saying it was “not the job of central government to look over their shoulders and offer unnecessary advice”.

The Department continued: “Nevertheless, the statutory basis of the DPH role, its transfer to local government and the involvement of the Secretary of State mean that there is value in clear, informative guidance that establishes a shared understanding of how this vital component of the reformed system should work. This statutory guidance is issued in that spirit.”

The DH has also issued appointment guidance giving more detailed advice and good practice on the process for the joint appointment of DPHs by local authorities and Public Health England.