PHLS was linked with NHS hospital diagnostic laboratory services and provided advice and assistance to local public health officials, including a bacteriology and virology service. Read more about PHLS was linked with NHS hospital diagnostic laboratory services and provided advice and assistance to local public health officials, including a bacteriology and virology service.
The Public Service Laboratory Act of 1960 transferred responsibility for PHLS from the Medical Research Council to a new PHLS board that was accountable to the Minister of Health. Read more about The Public Service Laboratory Act of 1960 transferred responsibility for PHLS from the Medical Research Council to a new PHLS board that was accountable to the Minister of Health.
The ERL was created to undertake the analysis and interpretation of centrally collected laboratory data. Read more about The ERL was created to undertake the analysis and interpretation of centrally collected laboratory data.
In 1984, the CDSC merged with the PHLS Epidemiological Research Laboratory, expanding its functions to include research on vaccine-preventable diseases. Read more about In 1984, the CDSC merged with the PHLS Epidemiological Research Laboratory, expanding its functions to include research on vaccine-preventable diseases.
PHLS received limited additional funding of £40,000 per year to cover the costs of its new functions. Read more about PHLS received limited additional funding of £40,000 per year to cover the costs of its new functions.
After the CDSC assumed responsibility for national advice, assistance and coordination in communicable disease control from the CMOs of the DHSS and Welsh Office, the epidemiological role of PHLS increased from one of epidemiological intelligence to a greater involvement in active disease control. Read more about After the CDSC assumed responsibility for national advice, assistance and coordination in communicable disease control from the CMOs of the DHSS and Welsh Office, the epidemiological role of PHLS increased from one of epidemiological intelligence to a greater involvement in active disease control.
The CDSC was established within the PHLS in 1977 after the 1973 smallpox outbreak in London and subsequent Committee of Inquiry into the outbreak. Read more about The CDSC was established within the PHLS in 1977 after the 1973 smallpox outbreak in London and subsequent Committee of Inquiry into the outbreak.
Health authorities were advised to appoint both a director of public health and a consultant for communicable disease control, while also reinforcing hospital roles in infection control and empowering proper officers to conduct investigations. Read more about Health authorities were advised to appoint both a director of public health and a consultant for communicable disease control, while also reinforcing hospital roles in infection control and empowering proper officers to conduct investigations.
Professor Brian Edwards suggested that the loss of the MOH was a grave strategic error and the public health voice was weakened by that reorganisation. Read more about Professor Brian Edwards suggested that the loss of the MOH was a grave strategic error and the public health voice was weakened by that reorganisation.
The position of MOH employed within local authorities was abolished at a time when the government considered that the "main infectious diseases which were once the major cause of death of people of working age have been virtually eliminated as health problems". Read more about The position of MOH employed within local authorities was abolished at a time when the government considered that the "main infectious diseases which were once the major cause of death of people of working age have been virtually eliminated as health problems".