Question reference: S4W-23008
- Asked by: Aileen McLeod, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 5 November 2014
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 November 2014
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what opportunity the integration of health and social care provides to strengthen and promote public health.
Answer
The integration of health and social care will provide a number of specific opportunities for us to strengthen public health services in Scotland, with much greater opportunities for joined-up working and preventative, person-centred care. I believe that public health work, with its strong prevention focus, is one of the most important activities of our health service. The current work around obesity, alcohol and tobacco are clear examples of this. We must ensure public health services in Scotland continue to work well and that they have the profile they deserve. I have therefore asked for a review of public health in Scotland. This review will cover health services, health protection, health improvement and health inequalities. It will identify future priorities and challenges, and will seek to make recommendations for how best we can respond. I am establishing a group of experts to undertake this review and they will report back to me next year.