Public Health Scotland Consultation Response

Dated: 9 July 2019
Last updated on: 9 July 2019
Sent by:: Ed Humpherson
Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation
Sent to:: Marion Bain
Co-Director Executive Delivery Group, Public Health Reform, Scottish Government

Dear Marion,

PUBLIC HEALTH SCOTLAND CONSULTATION RESPONSE

We have today published our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the creation of the new National Public Health Body ‘Public Health Scotland’ (see annex). We welcome the opportunities that the new body will have to produce evidence to improve public health, and in particular the commitment to make better use of data.

We are aware that statistics production is an integral part of the Target Operating Model for the new body. Nevertheless, the statutory responsibilities that accompany its status as an official statistics producer, and the independent role of the Head of Profession for Statistics, need to be more prominently reflected in its governance and functions.

We look forward to working with Public Health Scotland to support its new role as the key producer of evidence to support the drive to improve Scotland’s health.

Your sincerely

Ed Humpherson
Director General for Regulation