Councils in Wales have welcomed the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) Annual Report, which puts local authority public protection services firmly at the heart of a prevention-first approach to improving the nation’s health.
The report, ‘Reflecting on our Health’, reinforces the central role that councils play in protecting public health and creating the conditions for people to live healthier, safer lives. The CMO highlights their work on healthy food environments, tobacco control, vapes, alcohol, gambling, climate change, housing and air quality.
The report warns that healthy life expectancy in Wales is falling, particularly among women, and that the number of people living with multiple long-term conditions could almost double by 2035 without urgent action. It also shows the value of early intervention, with public health programmes delivering an average return on investment of 14 to 1.
Councils deliver the core Public Protection services such as environmental health, licensing and trading standards, that regulate food environments, protect communities from unsafe products and practices, improve housing and air quality, and support healthier local economies.
The Welsh Local Government Association welcomes the CMO’s recognition of local government’s contribution. It supports continued investment in the Public Protection workforce, including the development pathways being progressed with Directors of Public Protection Wales.
Councillor Jane Gebbie, WLGA spokesperson for Health and Social Care, said:
“This report reinforces the importance of prevention in improving people’s health and easing the pressure on the NHS. Councils see the impact of ill-health in their communities every day, and local government is well placed to act early, reduce risks, and support people to live longer in good health.
“Sustained investment in prevention is essential if we want to reverse the worrying trends highlighted by the CMO. We fully support the CMO’s call for accelerated action, and we recognise that strong, properly supported local services are essential to this shift.”
Councillor Stephen Thomas, WLGA spokesperson for Frontline and Regulatory Services, said:
“It’s encouraging to see public protection recognised so clearly in this report. These teams work at the frontline of safeguarding public health, from food safety and tobacco control to air quality and housing.
“The workforce challenges set out by the CMO are very real, and we are committed to working with partners to strengthen the pipeline of skilled officers and ensure services remain resilient.”
“Environmental health, licensing and trading standards teams have been depleted for more than a decade. Despite this, they continue to deliver high-impact prevention work across Wales.
“With a fully resourced workforce, councils could do far more to support the health of our communities, reduce harm, and ease pressure on the NHS and other partners.”