Legislation and Regulations

Legislation and Regulations

Legislation and Public Health

  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012 is a key piece of legislation in public health. This act is responsible for introducing major changes in the organising of healthcare services in England.
  • The Public Health Control of Disease Act 1984 empowers local authorities to prevent and control any contagious, infectious or communicable diseases.
  • The NHS Act 2006 and its subsequent revisions is crucial in determining responsibilities in healthcare, including levying charges, handling complaints, and maintaining public health responsibilities. It also established Care Quality Commission (CQC).
  • The Mental Health Act 1983, often revised, outlines how people with mental health disorders should be treated. It establishes rules for detention, rights for individuals and the role of mental health professionals.

Regulation Bodies in Public Health

  • The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their role includes ensuring services are safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.
  • NHS England is tasked with commissioning services, primary care services and specialised services, and holds budgets for these.
  • The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is responsible for providing guidance to improve health and social care.
  • Health Education England (HEE) is responsible for the education, training, and workforce development in health care.

Key Regulations in Public Health

  • Food safety regulations ensure that all food handlers are properly trained in food safety, and that businesses are inspected for food hygiene. It helps prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses.
  • Health and Safety regulations ensure workplaces are safe for all individuals and that risk of injury or illness are minimised.
  • The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations ensure that harmful substances are stored, used, and disposed of safely, protecting people and the environment.
  • Confidentiality is crucial and legally required within public health and social care. Information about service users or patients must not be shared without their consent, unless in specific situations allowed by law such as safeguarding issues.
  • The Equality Act 2010 is crucial to prevent discrimination in public health, ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for all individuals regardless of their characteristics.
  • Data protection is another significant legal requirement, ensuring that individuals’ information is handled and stored securely and in compliance with the regulations.