Municipal public health plans: New requirements factsheet, March 2009

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Introduction

Most provisions in the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 will be effective from 1 January 2010. The existing Health Act 1958 will remain in force until that date.

Some provisions in the Public Health and Wellbeing Act, including section 263 that relates to requirements for and timing of municipal public health plans, were effective on 1 January 2009. Section 263 replaces section 29B of the Health Act with new sections 29B–29D (see Attachment 1 for the new sections).

This means councils must prepare a four year Municipal Public Health Plan that meets new requirements, within 12 months of general council elections; that is, by 27 November 2009. From this time councils will be required to prepare a new plan every four years.

A significant number of councils are involved in the bushfire recovery effort and this will continue over the coming months. We understand that councils servicing bushfire affected municipalities or that have diverted resources to such areas may have difficulty meeting the 27 November timeline or making significant changes to their plans. In this case please contact your regional public health manager at the earliest opportunity to discuss these matters.

Municipal Public Health Plans: Questions answered

1. What are the requirements for Municipal Public Health Plans under the amendments to the Health Act 1958?
2. What materials are available to assist with public health planning?
3. What if a council is unable to incorporate all the new requirements into a new plan by November 2009?
4. What if a council's existing three year plan finishes before November 2009?
5. Are there any circumstances where councils are not required to develop a Municipal Public Health Plan by 27 November 2009?
6. Which area of the department should councils consult with in developing their plan?
7. What is the State Public Health and Wellbeing Plan?

1. What are the requirements for Municipal P11 January, 201058?

In summary the amendments mean plans must:

1. include an examination of data about health status and health determinants in the municipal district
2. identify goals and strategies based on evidence for creating a local community in which people can achieve maximum health
3. provide for involvement of people in the local community in the development, implementation and evaluation of the public health plan
4. specify how the council will work in partnership with the Department of Human Services and other agencies undertaking public health initiatives, projects and programs to achieve the goals identified in the plan.

Points 1, 3 and 4 above represent new requirements. As far as possible councils should amend their existing plan or develop a new plan to take account of these requirements (see new section 29B of the Health Act at Attachment 1 for further detail).

2. What materials are available to assist with public health planning?

Environments for Health, Municipal Public Health Planning Framework is a Victorian Government publication that includes a practical guide to developing municipal public health plans.

The department is reviewing Environments for Health and a revised document will be sent to councils in the near future. In the meantime councils are encouraged to refer to the existing document to inform the development of their new or amended plan. The document is available online.

Councils should also consider Victoria’s health promotion priorities for 2007–2012, as well as the recently released Victorian Immunisation Strategy 2009–2012. The health promotion priorities that have been endorsed by the Minister for Health, are:

1. Promoting physical activity and active communities
2. Promoting accessible and nutritious food
3. Promoting mental health and wellbeing
4. Reducing tobacco-related harm
5. Reducing and minimising harm from alcohol and other drugs
6. Safe environments to prevent unintentional injury
7. Sexual and reproductive health.

For further information visit the Health Promotion website. Councils should consider a range of other factors in their priority setting process including their statutory requirements and planning at Regional and Primary Care Partnership levels.

3. What if a council is unable to incorporate all the new requirements into a new plan by November 2009?

A significant number of councils have integrated some or all of the new requirements into existing municipal public health planning processes. The department acknowledges some councils have recently submitted new plans and may not be in a position to make significant changes to their existing planning processes by November 2009. In relation to developing new plans covering the period 2009–2013, councils may:

• review their current plans against new requirements
• incorporate new requirements to the extent possible or practical
• amend their current plan and adopt this as the new plan
• use the annual review process required by the amended section 29B(3) of the Health Act, to work towards new requirements.

4. What if a council's existing three year plan finishes before November 2009?

If a council’s existing three year municipal public health plan finishes some time before November 2009, the new section 29D of the Health Act deems the existing plan to be in force for the period to November 2009. This means councils will not need to develop a new plan to cover the months leading up to November 2009.

5. Are there any circumstances where councils are not required to develop a Municipal Public Health Plan by 27 November 2009?

Broadly the amendments provide that councils may be granted an exemption from the requirement to develop a Municipal Public Health Plan if they can satisfy the Secretary of the Department of Human Services (or his/her delegate) that the matters required to be covered in the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing plan have been adequately addressed in the council or strategic plan (see amended section 29C of the Health Act).

The exemption provides the opportunity for councils to integrate their public health planning processes within their council or strategic planning processes.

Councils who wish to apply for an exemption should consult with their regional public health manager. Once discussions have occurred at the regional level applications for exemption should be forwarded in writing to: Director, Public Health Department of Human Services Level 14 50 Lonsdale St Melbourne 3000 The application should be copied to your regional public health manager. Applications should:

• include a copy of the relevant council or strategic plan
• include a summary of those components of the plan that are relevant to municipal public health planning
• document how these components meet each of the requirements for Municipal Public Health Plans contained in the amended section 29B of the Health Act
• be endorsed by council. The Director of Public Health will consult with the relevant region in considering applications for exemption.

Some councils are developing or intend to be a party to a sub-regional health plan that covers two or more council areas. This can facilitate an integrated, coordinated approach to service planning and delivery across municipalities. The Department supports this approach to public health planning. In some instances it may be appropriate for councils with such plans to adopt the whole plan or incorporate aspects of it into their Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing plan.

6. Which area of the department should councils consult with in developing their plan?

The Health Act requires councils to prepare its plan in consultation with the Secretary of the Department (see amended section 29B(1) of the Health Act).

To do so you should liaise with your regional public health manager in relation to developing a new plan or amending an existing plan to meet the new requirements.

The Health Act requires councils to provide the Secretary of the Department with a copy of their Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing plan (section 29B(5) of the Health Act). To comply with this requirement one copy of the plan should be provided to your regional public health manager and one copy to the Director, Public Health.

7. What is the State Public Health and Wellbeing Plan?

The Public Health and Wellbeing Act requires the Minister for Health to ensure that a State Public Health and Wellbeing Plan is prepared by 1 September 2011, and then every four years subsequently.

This Act (section 26(3)) provides that councils must have regard to the State Plan when they are preparing their Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. This requirement will affect Public Health and Wellbeing Plans from 2013.

The Act sets out what must be included in the State Plan. The Plan must specify how Government will work with other bodies undertaking public health initiatives, projects and programs to achieve the objectives and policy priorities in the State Plan (section 49(2)(e)).

Local Government is key to the development of an effective State Plan. The department intends to engage Local Government and other key players shortly in its development.

Further information

For further information regarding municipal public health plans, contact your regional public health manager.

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