PRU Comm, April 2015
- The PHOENIX project aims to examine the impact of structural changes to the health and care system in England on the functioning of the public health system resulting from the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
- The research is based on surveys of Directors of Public Health and Councillors, and detailed study of the commissioning system around tackling obesity in five councils/authorities.
- It examines the organisation and position of public health in the councils and related organisations (including CCGs), resources, and relationships and functions within the local public health system,.
- The findings highlight the fragmentation of the new system, and the continued state of change as structures and processes emerge, and as roles and relationships are developed. It also highlights that councils work differently with more accountability and a need to work with others.
- "At the local level, there appears to be stronger managerial accountability and scrutiny, led by elected members (influenced by their politics, ideology and granular knowledge). This is shining a new light on public health activity, and is bringing an important window of opportunity for change – we saw evidence of historical commissioning decisions being challenged, new questions being posed, new suggestions being made, and ‘permissions’ being granted to think differently." p37
