What does the Public Health Department do?
The Clock House, East Street, Barking IG11 8EY. Tel. 0181-591-9595
Meeting the healthcare needs of people in Barking, Dagenham and Havering
1. We advise the Health Authority on the health care needs of local people, and the services needed to meet them
What is Barking and Havering Health Authority (BHHA)?
BHHA is a local body, which is part of the NHS. It receives a budget from the government to purchase health care to meet the needs of local people from hospitals and other health care providers. BHHA aims to purchase services which will give the greatest possible health improvement to the people of Barking and Havering.
How does the Public Health Department help?
To purchase the right services, BHHA needs to know what particular health problems exist locally, and what services will best meet the needs of local people. This is where the Public Health department can help.
Our staff are trained in studying people's health needs. We advise the health authority what treatments the local population is likely to need.
2. We provide advice on effective treatments to the health authority and GPs
New research is coming out all the time on which treatments work best. We look at the evidence and advise local GPs so they can provide the best treatment. We also advise the health authority on what treatments to buy from the hospitals, and provide advice if treatments should change.
3. We aim to improve the health of local people
We would much prefer that people did not become ill, so we advise on effective health improvement measures, for example stopping smoking and taking more exercise.
4. We provide advice on controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases
If there is an outbreak of infection, such as food poisoning or meningitis, we advise on how to deal with it.