§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether each(a) region, (b) strategic health authority and (c) primary care trust has a director of public health post and whether the post is filled in each case. [144783]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe information requested has been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the arrangements are for ensuring that in every part of England an annual report on the health of the population is produced by a director of public health.[144791]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe 2003–06 Planning and Priorities Framework issued by the Department of Health requires service planning in the national health service to be supported by an annual public health report by the Director of Public Health. Strategic health authorities are responsible for ensuring compliance with, and delivery of, the framework.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on recruitment of chief executives of the Public Health Laboratory Service, with particular reference to the merits of recruiting(a) deputy chief medical officers and (b) microbiologists with experience of clinical practice.[145165]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) with a board which appoints its own chief executive, in the same way as other NDPBs and in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the results of the Public Health Skills Audit referred to in the Department's memorandum of evidence to the Health Committee inquiry into public health.[144781]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe report of the Skills Audit has been placed in the Library.