Health

Planning in the UK has its origins in Victorian moves to improve public health, and the practice of planning still has a significant role to play today in enabling healthy living.

Latest news

• The District Councils Network have published their District Action on Public Health (11/2/2013) which includes an RTPI contribution regarding the vital role of planning in public health.
• The RTPI is delighted to annouce the creation of our Health and Planning Linkedin discussion forum. The group is also open to non-members, and we hope to enable effective discussion between members of the health and planning communities.
• Our Head of Policy and Practice, Richard Blyth, gave oral evidence at the Communities and Local Government Select Committee inquiry into the role of English local authorities in health issues. More information can be found here.

Policy changes and consultations

• The Health and Social Care act 2012 gained royal assent in March, reforming the way in which public health will be delivered in EnglandA summary of the changes can be found in this summary document
• Communities and Local Government Select Committee inquiry into the future of English local authorities in health issues (pdf, 374kb). Response to the CLG Select Committee. 18/10/2012.
• Cover Letter (pdf, 308kb) and consultation questions (pdf, 286kb) to the consultation on Second Draft Guidance for Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies. Response to the Department of Health. 28/09/12.
• Consulation on the Draft Mandate of the NHS Commissioning Board (pdf, 317kb). Response to the Department of Health. 26/09/12.

View all RTPI open consultations and make a contribution. Archived consultation responses can be found in the Health Signposts section of the website.

Practice

• RTPI Good Practice Note 5: Delivering healthy communities
• Signposting to more practice advice.

Our viewpoint

We believe that the health and wellbeing of a community must be considered at all stages of the planning system. In this way we can deliver sustainable development that effectively meets the needs of all sections of the community. One way to ensure this is by integrating public health and spatial planning processes, enabling the two professions to promote health and wellbeing through the delivery of neighbourhoods that promote and provide opportunities for active lifestyles. This in turn assists in the management of health service demands and budgets by promoting healthier communities. RTPI Delivering Healthy Communities GPN

More information/events/CPD

• View our events calendar for upcoming RTPI events

• Get involved: email the healthy communities interest group