News story
Update on public health funding for local government
An update on public health funding for local government has been published by the Department of Health.
The document, which is aimed at public health specialists, sets out current thinking on local authority public health finance and in particular:
- the next steps on moving from the estimates of baseline spending published in February 2012 to actual allocations for 2013-14 which are expected to be published by the end of 2012
- provides further information on the high level design of the health premium which will be targeted towards areas with the worst health outcomes and most need
- conditions on the ring fenced public health grant which state how the grant may be used, including proposals for local authority financial reporting requirements on public health spend.
Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Update on Public Health Funding sets out:
- Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation’s (ACRA) interim recommendations on the public health formula
- an update on the health premium
- conditions on the ring-fenced public health grant, including proposals for local authority reporting on public health spend.
An active period of engagement and consultation will take place following publication of ACRA’s interim recommendations. The Department will welcome feedback on the approach used and the proposed formula which will inform ACRA’s continuing work to finalise their recommendations for 2013-14 public health allocations.
Published 14 June 2012