Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

You are here:

Liberating the public health talents of community practitioners and health visitors

  • Document type:
    Guidance
  • Author:
    Department of Health and CPHVA
  • Published date:
    15 October 2003
  • Primary audience:
    Professionals
  • Product number:
    33508
  • Gateway reference:
    2039
  • Pages:
    16
  • Copyright holder:
    Crown

This leaflet illustrates good practice in relation to the contribution that all community practitioners and health visitors can make by using a public health approach in their practice.

Whatever the title, employer or setting there are three core functions to be provided by community practitioners and health visitors:

  • First contact care: acute assessment, diagnosis, care, treatment and referral.
  • Chronic disease management, continuing care and rehabilitation.
  • Public health: health protection and promotion programmes that improve health and reduce inequalities.

These core functions were set out in Liberating the Talents (DH 2002) but reflect the strategic direction in primary care nursing policy across the four UK countries. This leaflet focuses on the public health function and illustrates the contribution that all community practitioners and health visitors can make by using a public health approach in their practice.

Additional links

Ordering publications

Contact details for obtaining hard-copy DH publications.

Help viewing PDFs

Help viewing PDFs

Useful tips to ensure you get the most from PDFs and the free Reader program. Topics covered include accessibility, troubleshooting and searching files.

Additional Links

Access keys