Microsoft Word 02Preface doc

2.3
 
Functions of Research Institutes for Communicable Diseases in the UK 
In the UK, the Department of Health sets the national standards, controls social care 
services, and works with key partners (including investment decisions), and the 
National Health Service (NHS), which is separately run as an independent agency, is 
responsible for delivering the services on behalf of the Department of Health.    Under 
the NHS, there are 28 specialized Special Health Authorities and, in 11 districts, 11 
Strategic Health Authorities.   
In protecting people from infectious diseases, the Health Protection Agency, one of the 
Special Health Authorities, plays a key role in formulating detailed policies.  The 
Health Protection Agency collects disease information from each health institution, 
through the Special health Authorities, under the Strategic Health Authorities, which is 
submitted from the local Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre.  The 
relationships between the organisations in the UK for the prevention of infectious 
diseases are shown in Figure 2.3. 
 
 

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17 
 
Figure 2.3 Interelationship between the Organizations Concerned with Communicable