All for one on health

A REVOLUTIONARY agreement has today created a single leadership for public health across Greater Manchester .

Health chiefs, including Public Health England chief Duncan Selbie and NHS England boss Simon Stevens signed the deal with the local authority at Manchester Town Hall.

The move, supported by Greater Manchester’s NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS provider organisations and emergency services, places more emphasis on prevention and early intervention.

The agreement follows the Greater Manchester Health and Care devolution deal announced in February, and outlines major programmes on connections between health, work and the economy - such as giving people more knowledge and control over their health, the importance of good early-years care and keeping well and connected to friends in old age.

Steven Pleasant, local authority chief executive for public health in Greater Manchester, said: “This is a unique opportunity for public health to bridge the gap between the NHS and the economy. If we can help people to stay well there will ultimately be less demand on health services.