About
1. What is the Public Health Peer Review?
The programme is part of the LGA’s new public health improvement offer and directly responds to the Government’s 10‑Year Health Plan commitment that every upper‑tier and unitary council will undergo a public health peer review on a regular cycle, with the results informing local improvement planning. The programme provides structured, supportive external challenge from sector peers to strengthen leadership, improve outcomes and enhance public health delivery.
2. Why is this being launched now?
It reflects ongoing challenges around inequalities, demand, funding and prevention, and supports councils to deliver against national priorities, including reforms to the Public Health Grant and the forthcoming Local Government Outcomes Framework.
3. Who is the programme aimed at?
Councils who have got responsibility for public health to help them with their Public Health responsibilities.
Programme design and delivery
4. Will there be peer review pilots?
Yes. Pilot reviews will be undertaken before national rollout to refine the scope. They will be based on the LGA’s tried and test peer review methodology and sector led improvement principles. The model and approach will be proportionate and practical.
5. What will the peer review focus on?
The scope and focus to be determined based on a sector needs assessment but likely to include system leadership, governance, data and insight, workforce, commissioning, outcomes, health inequalities, prevention and financial resilience.
6. What is the format of a peer review?
Peer reviews will follow the LGA’s methodology which will include scoping, document review, onsite interviews, focus groups, a feedback presentation, a short-written output with support to produce an improvement/action plan.
7. Who are the peers?
Experienced elected members, senior officers, public health professionals and system leaders.
8. How do I become a peer reviewer?
You will be able to register interest, provide a short expression of interest and undertake LGA peer review training once available.
Elements of the improvement support offer
9. What are the elements of the new Public Health Improvement Support Offer?
The model includes:
- public health peer reviews
- improvement plans and targeted support
- universal support offer
- responsive call‑off support.
10. What is happening to the existing public health improvement support offer provided by the LGA?
Elements of the existing public health improvement support will be included in the new programme. All elements of the programme will continue to be co-developed and delivered with councils and public health teams.
Participation and practicalities
11. My council is going through LGR. Will we still be expected to take part?
Yes, but timing will be discussed to ensure alignment with local capacity and transition.
12. Who will decide when the LGA undertakes a peer review?
The timing will be agreed collaboratively between the council, the LGA and DHSC Regional Public Health Teams. The current programme runs until 2029, and all councils are expected to undertake a peer review.
13. What are the benefits for councils from undertaking a peer review?
Independent challenge, actionable recommendations, strengthened prevention, opportunity to spotlight the strengths of existing public health work, celebrate achievements and enable a focus on current and future ambitions. With a wide range of people engaged in the peer review it will help to renew focus and energies within the council and with partners and stakeholders.
14. Is having a peer review mandatory?
DHSC ministers expect all councils to participate, with 90 peer reviews planned from 1 June 2026 to 31 March 2029
15. Is there a cost to councils?
No cost to councils other than their time and commitment to the process. The programme is nationally funded.
16. How long will a peer review take?
Typically, three to four days onsite with preparation and follow‑up.
17. How will the findings be used?
They will inform local planning and improvement activity.
18. How does this relate to other sector‑led improvement activity?
It complements LGA programmes in adult social care, children’s services and corporate improvement.
19. How do councils sign up?
Further details will be provided at programme launch.
20. When will the programme start?
From June 2026.
21. How will publicity be handled?
DHSC expects full transparency, so councils will publish their peer review findings and improvement plan.
22. What is the role of elected members?
Elected Members will be full members of the peer review teams.
23. Will we be expected to develop an improvement plan?
Yes, with LGA support.
24. How will the peer review work with local partners?
Reviews will engage Regional Directors of Public Health, NHS, ICS, VCSE and relevant council services.
25. Will the Public Health peer reviews be published?
In line with usual peer review processes, reports will be published.
26. Where can I learn more about the support offer? Who can I contact for more information?
Information about the support offer will be made available via our website. It will also be promoted at various upcoming events which will be added here when confirmed. The next event currently confirmed is the LGA Conference where you will be able to come and talk to us at Stand B3 near the innovation zone.
You can also contact the team directly at [email protected]