§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what priority will be given in the NHS Plan to improving links with local government in environmental health, housing and transport. [489]
§ Ms BlearsThe NHS Plan builds on the Government's existing major programme to improve public health, address health inequalities and tackle the deep-rooted causes of ill health, including environmental factors. The NHS plan recognises that the role of the NHS, working in partnership across the community, is to prevent as well as treat sickness and ill health.