Nursing and midwifery leadership transfers to PHE

New arrangements for public health nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions leadership will come into force as of April 2015.

The Department of Health (DH) has announced that responsibility for these functions will be transferred to Public Health England (PHE), replacing the current agreement between the two bodies.

According to the government, the new arrangements will make sure strong strategic direction is in place for the future.

Viv Bennett will continue her leadership role as the PHE's director of nursing and midwifery, as well as the government's principal advisor on public health nursing, in the same way the chief nursing officer is the main consultant on NHS nursing in England.

The DH has also announced that it will establish a Nursing and Midwifery Policy Unit – headed by Dr David Foster – to make sure clear strategic messages are being delivered.

"I’m delighted to have the opportunity to both focus on public health nursing and continue working with professional colleagues in DH and across the health and care system," Ms Bennett said.