RSPH Launch Event
On 23rd September, the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) had its official launch at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. With over 300 attendees, including many senior public health professionals, the event welcomed in the world’s newest public health organisation.
Opening the proceedings, Professor Alan Maryon Davis, the RSPH’s Inaugural Chair, said, “This merger creates a truly exciting new springboard for public health in this country and overseas. Combining the best of both its parents, the new RSPH will – I am absolutely sure – prove itself to be a stronger and more vocal force for promoting and protecting the health of the people.”
Professor Richard Parish, Chief Executive of the RSPH added, “The merger of the RSH and RIPH brings together two of the oldest public health bodies in the world, both with around 150 years of experience and a reputation for delivering improvements in population health.”
Five speakers took to the stage to address the auditorium, the first being Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission.
Dame Suzi spoke of the Charity Commission’s support for mergers and collaboration, which can help to achieve much wider goals than when charities work as small units in isolation. In terms of public health, she was quite clear on the role of the RSPH. “Domestically and internationally, governments are fighting public health battles on a growing number of fronts,” she said. “The RSPH has a vital role to play in improving public health in the UK and beyond.”
She emphasised the need for the RSPH to guard its independence from government – even when funding was at stake – in line with its mission.
“The RSPH has the drive, determination and sheer scope of expertise required to make the vital difference if we are to win the public health battles facing us now and in the future,” she concluded. “May you be victorious, happy and very glorious.”
Sir Derek Wanless, Chairman of Northumbrian Water Group plc, spelled out the huge and increasing burden facing the NHS and spoke about how important it is to put the necessary money and reform into the health service and its partner agencies to maximise prevention. “The prize is enormous if we can get public health right,” he said. “This is most likely to be attainable, and may only be attainable, if public health raises its game. Good luck to the RSPH in making sure that it happens.”
Download Sir Derek's presentation
Our Future Health Secured
Hazel Stuteley OBE worked for many years as a health visitor in some of the most deprived communities of the UK. She spoke about health inequalities and asked “Does postcode, and health of mum and dad, set out a trajectory of future health?” Hazel’s experience with the Beacon project in Cornwall, which, through reconnecting people to the relevant agencies, resulted in decreased vandalism, increased education, decreased asthma, decreased teenage pregnancy and decreased post-natal depression, enabled her to talk about how health inequalities can be tackled. The lessons learnt by the Beacon project have since been extended to two other communities in Cornwall.