Public Health Lanarkshire

Our main areas of work

The Public Health Directorate provides a Public Health service for the whole of NHS Lanarkshire. Our primary objective is to work across Lanarkshire to prevent disease, promote health and wellbeing and protection of all people in Lanarkshire from health-related threats.

The Public Health Directorate works to understand the health status and health care needs of the people of Lanarkshire to improving health through three areas of work:

• Health Protection
• Health Improvement
• Health Service Development (Health Care Public Health)

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to improving the health of the communities across Lanarkshire. By fostering an environment that values diversity and inclusivity for all patients and staff we can ensure every individual feels valued, understood, and respected.

Find more information about our accessibility, diversity and inclusion:

• Equality & Diversity
• Website Accessibility Statement

Drugs & Alcohol 

Working together with North and South Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnerships we are committed to reducing harms from alcohol and drugs. By doing so we are improving the health of individuals, families, and communities in Lanarkshire.

For information on local services and supports visit:

• North Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership
• South Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership

Infants, Children & Young People

Child poverty

In Lanarkshire, we’re focused on addressing child poverty head-on. NHS is working hand-in-hand with the council, charities and child support agencies to provide tailored assistance to families in need. Our goal is to ensure every infant, child and young person has access to the resources they need to thrive, breaking the cycle of poverty for a brighter future.

Looking for financial help? Explore these resources on our Cost of Living page for practical guidance and assistance.

Children’s Rights – United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

We are committed to supporting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.

UNCRC champions fairness for children, encompassing various rights. It’s essential for NHS personnel and others to understand UNCRC rights and how in your day to day you can support infants, children and young people in Lanarkshire communities.

Visit our UNCRC page for more information.

Health Protection/Preventative Measures

The Health Protection team in Lanarkshire focus on protecting our community from infectious diseases and environmental harms or hazards.

Our role in the NHS is to be ready for health threats and to prevent them from spreading.

Our robust immunisation programme plays a vital role in controlling disease and protecting our community. We work with many specialist partners to protect our Lanarkshire community while managing existing and new health challenges.

Further Information

• NHS Lanarkshire Vaccination Service
• NHS inform – Information on Immunisation

Health Intelligence

Health intelligence supports public health, it is turning data (raw numbers) into information e.g. graphs, which then is interpreted. This information and interpretation is then used to inform evidence-based decision making across the Directorate.

Screening

Screening is a way of finding out if someone has a higher change of having a health condition, before they have any symptoms. Attending your screening appointment when you get invited is a really important step in looking after your health.

In Lanarkshire we offer the following screening programmes:

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
• Breast Cancer Screening
• Bowel Cancer Screening
• Cervical Cancer Screening
• Diabetic Eye Screening
• Pregnancy and Newborn screening
• Pre–school Eye Screening

Visit our Health Screening pages to learn more about these programmes and which ones are for you.

Josephine Pravinkumar, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, presents the Public Health Annual Report for the period 2023.

The latest NHS Lanarkshire Annual Report of the Director of Public Health, which covers the 2023 period, focusses on several key areas in public health. The report also highlights the role NHS Lanarkshire will play as an Anchor Organisation making a difference to health and well-being outcomes and reduce inequalities in our communities.

Feedback

We are interested to find out what you think of the report and how it could be improved next year.

Your views are important to us so please take a few moments to provide feedback via email: PublicHealthAnnualReport@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

or write to:

The Directorate of Public Health
NHS Lanarkshire Headquarters
Kirklands
Fallside Road
Bothwell G71 8BB

NHS Lanarkshire – an anchor organisation

An anchor organisation, alongside its main function, plays a significant role in an area. Rooted in the local community it delivers crucial services essential to health and wellbeing. It offers stability and support to communities; this is why they are referred to as an “anchor”.

An anchor organisation like the NHS, local authorities, colleges and large businesses make a strategic contribution to the local economy. Typically, the organisation employs locals, spends money locally, and manages local land and buildings while positively impacting their communities.

Our Commitment

NHS Lanarkshire has developed a 3-year anchor plan that sets out actions that will be taken to support local economic growth and mitigate inequalities through employment, procurement, environment and assets, service delivery and, working in partnership.

The Strategic Anchor Action Plan is available here https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/download/nhs-lanarkshire-strategic-anchor-action-plan-october-2023-october-2026/