Oral Answers to Questions

Karen Lumley Excerpts

Tuesday 26th April 2011 Commons Chamber

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

10. What progress he has made on the establishment of local health and wellbeing boards.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Paul Burstow)]

Almost nine out of 10 local authorities have signed up as early implementers to press ahead with the setting up of health and wellbeing boards. Councillors, clinicians and local communities have told us that by working together through those boards, they can and will improve health and care outcomes for local people.

[Karen Lumley]

Does my hon. Friend agree that giving greater public health powers to the health and wellbeing boards will allow more targeted help in our local communities?

[Paul Burstow]

Absolutely. By bringing public health home to local government we will have the opportunity to ensure that many of the underlying causes of ill health can be tackled more effectively, and that is why we are making the reform in this way. By having a health and wellbeing board that brings together all the interested parties we can also ensure a far more integrated approach.