Health

Culture Media and Sport written question – answered at on 22 July 2014.

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Photo of Luciana Berger Luciana Berger Shadow Minister (Public Health)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer on 21 November 2013, what estimate he has made of the number of local authorities currently employing acting or interim directors of public health; and what steps he is taking to fill such posts on a more permanent basis.

Photo of Jane Ellison Jane Ellison The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health

As at 16 July 2014, 107 of the 131 (82%) Director of Public Health posts are filled by substantive roles. The 131 posts cover 152 local authorities, as some have agreed joint/shared arrangements. There are currently 24 positions vacant (18%). All vacancies are covered by interim/acting arrangements with the exception of one recently vacant post where Public Health England (PHE) is working actively with the council to secure interim arrangements.

Of the 24 current vacancies, 15 are under active recruitment in which adverts have been released and/or interview dates set, and nine are the subject to discussion between PHE and the local authority on the development and approval of a job description.

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