GPs can make a significant contribution to the debate on improving people's health as part of a major consultation.
The Department of Health wants opinions from health professionals, as well as contributions from the public, media, industry and voluntary groups on how to tackle issues such as obesity, smoking and sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).
The Government wants a debate about the roles everyone can play in meeting these challenges. How can the Government help create a supportive environment in which people can make informed choices? What is best done locally? What is the role of food manufacturers, retailers and advertisers in providing and promoting healthy options?
A Department of Health spokesman said: "GPs will know what works best already and where improvements can be made because they are the first contact for many public health problems and see in practice how people's social circumstances and lifestyle affect their health. It is important that GPs contribute their views and ideas on the roles of individuals, the health service and community action. We are particularly interested in ways of engaging with GPs experienced in working with disadvantaged groups and innovative ways of engaging with people to produce positive results."
Details on how to take part in the consultation process will be made available in early March. The results from the consultation will be used to help frame a White Paper due to be published later in the year.
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