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Confusion over the place of health promotion

Morale in health promotion departments has suffered as a result of the purchaser-provider split, according to a national survey of health promotion specialists.

The survey found that 81 per cent of respondents felt morale had been adversely affected by changes in the NHS. There was particular concern that healthy alliances formed by departments with other parts of the NHS had been made more difficult.

The survey, published by the Society of Health Education and Health Promotion Specialists, also revealed that there is no national agreement on which side of the purchaser-provider split health promotion departments should be on.

Thirty six per cent of responding departments were on the purchaser side and 38 per cent on the provider side, with 22 per cent ‘covering both’.

Despite uncertainty over the position of health promotion in the NHS, and frequently poor relationships with public health doctors, a majority of respondents felt that reorganisation had given them the potential for improved practice.

The report calls on the goverment to issue national guidance to clarify the role and working relationships of health promotion departments, and to establish a central council to strengthen training and professional development.