How statutory organisations contribute to health

Question 1

What are the three statutory organisations that contribute to health?

Answer 1

• Department of Health
• The Public Health Agency
• The Health and Social Care Trusts

Question 2

How does the department of health contribute to health?

Answer 2

• it commissions research such as surveys of health behaviour in the population to inform its policies and strategies eg on alcohol consumption in different age groups in Northern Ireland
• attempts to ensure service provision meets the needs of the population- eg that there is adequate provision in terms of hospitals, GPs, and social services for the population of Northern Ireland.

*It provides information and advice on good practice to a range of
professionals, pharmacists and dentists.

Question 3

How does the public health agency contribute to health?

Answer 3

*Provides information through news bulletins, on their websites and through social media- Eg on twitter- about FAST stroke campaign

• Provides statistics on the incidence of disease for health professionals- eg regular updates on influenza in Northern Ireland

*Supports research about health in Northern Ireland, for example on attitudes to breastfeeding

Question 4

How do health and social care services contribute to health?

Answer 4

• provide hospital services
• provide GP services
• provide specialist professionals- psychiatrist
• Provide advice and support for healthy living- eg advice on sexual health
  *Provide social services- adoption and fostering services