Thread by @ADMBriggs

Might be of interest.

In 2017, @PHE underwent an independent international peer-review from @IANPHIhealth - the International Association of National Public Health Institutes.

An organisation that strengthens government agencies responsible for public health.

Thread/

An team of 8 international experts (including the President of the Robert Koch Institute) went through reports, documents, case studies, and conducted a four day site visit with interviews and presentations.

The team asked three questions:

1. Does PHE demonstrate the leadership, strategy and delivery required to fulfill its responsibilities, taking account of the UK Government Cabinet Office model of capability?

2. Is PHE set up most effectively and efficiently to deliver its mission and discharge our functions?

And

3. Does PHE have the necessary impact and influence it needs to fulfill its mission?

1. "In less than five years, Public Health England has, under strong and visionary leadership, transformed a geographically and functionally siloed group of 129 bodies into a strong, capable, coordinated, united and efficient public health agency that rivals any in the world."

2. "PHE meets or exceeds the UK Government Cabinet Office model of capability standards in this area. On the whole, it is well structured and organized, its resources are allocated effectively and efficiently, it is ready for future opportunities, challenges or threats."

(note this recommendation: "PHE’s role is to lead and co-ordinate the response and there is scope for greater clarity in the responsibilities of PHE’s local partners. PHE is undertaking a multi-agency audit of local arrangements which will be a spring board to take this forward")

3. "PHE has a well-defined strategy and has made impressive headway on efforts to link with and understand the needs of the various agencies, academia, NGOs, public bodies, partners and politicians it serves."

Noting: "The importance of a strong, unbiased source of scientific advice to political leaders at the local, regional, national and international levels cannot be underestimated."

Summary of recommendations.

As I said before. PHE isn't perfect. But for a relatively nascent organisation that does a lot more than just infectious disease with significant budget constraints, it seemed to be doing pretty well.

https://twitter.com/ADMBriggs/status/1294931195004948481?s=20

Tomorrow morning at @IPPR, @MattHancock will outline its replacement, would be great to get details about how it might meet some of these recommendations.

A pandemic is no time to change your national public health body.

I just hope that the achievements and efforts of PHE staff during its short life are both noted and applauded.

Report here: gov.uk/government/pub…

FYI @HPIAndyCowper @denis_campbell @HSJEditor @deb_cohen @BBCHughPym @JenniferTHF @ShaunLintern @profchrisham @davidjbuck @NickTriggle @nedwards_1

@doctor_oxford @trishgreenhalgh @xandvt @arusbridger @carolecadwalla might interest you all as well!

Apologies @PHE and @IPPR, I of course meam @PHE_uk and @Policy_Exchange. 🤦‍♂️