25.07.19
Hampshire County Council to lead IoW public health services
The delivery of public health services on the Isle of Wight, including drug and substance misuse services, mental wellbeing support and sexual health assistance, will from August be delivered by Hampshire County Council.
There are no savings attached to the new partnership, the Hampshire authority said, and the restructuring that has approved by the Isle of Wight cabinet is with aim of ensuring public health outcomes can be achieved.
The island will still have its own public health team, with the long-term strategic partnership between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight councils looking to build upon the existing Public Health England-supported interim partnership.
As part of the new partnership, Hampshire County Council will be responsible for the leadership of public health on the island and will run commissioned support, including smoking cessation and healthy weight promotion programmes.
Councillor Judith Grajewski, executive member for public health at Hampshire County Council, said: “The go-ahead given this week by Hampshire’s Cabinet is the final step towards this new and exciting partnership arrangement between our two authorities, building on the already very successful one we have in place for the delivery of children’s services.
““We very much welcome this opportunity to work more closely with our Island partners to ensure the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes for local residents.”
The Isle of Wight Council will retain full political accountability for the service, Hampshire County Council confirmed.