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The article reports that Great Britain's white paper "Liberating the NHS" plans to allow local authorities the ability to control public health budgets. The proposed health care reform plans to improve the working relationship between public health and social care. Public health clinician Jane Cook expresses her fears concerning health inequalities on socially excluded groups.

This article reports that school nursing services underwent drastic cuts in the mid 1990s in Great Britain. Now, however, they are being recognised and valued by the government for their specialist public health role. School nurses are primary care providers, usually based in primary care trusts (PCT). Their role is proactive health promotion to the school-age population. PCTs and local authorities will now be responsible for staff training. The white paper "Choosing Health," was published in November 2004. Effective co-ordination of services for individual children and schools will make a significant and positive difference to meeting children's health needs.

The government aims to expand the roles of school nurses and health visitors in its bid to reduce health inequality and promote healthy lifestyles, according to a policy paper on public health in England. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's views about the health policy of Great Britain. I confess to a slight bias towards public health. As a result, public health is slipping from the agenda. The Public Health Association of Great Britain had a similar message, saying that despite last year's white paper on the subject, the government had to be more bullish about tackling the numerous public health problems the country faces. To be fair this government has done more than most to encourage us to discard our junk food and rise from our sofas.

White paper demands increase in school nurse numbers and scope of responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]