Public health and preparedness
Keeping people well, and being ready when something big happens.
Public health
Public health is one of our core services (LHS Act 2026, section 3B(a)). It covers prevention, vaccination, screening and health advice. County health boards also promote public health education locally (Public Services Act 2025, Article 1).
Being ready for emergencies
The LHS is responsible for keeping stockpiles of medicines and protective equipment, and for running hospital preparedness drills, as the Public Health Preparedness Act 2025 requires (LHS Act 2026, section 8A). We plan with counties, hospitals, emergency services and the Minister, and our plans cover keeping essential care going, protecting vulnerable people, and telling the public clearly what is happening (section 8B).
Preparedness information
| Document | Status | Required by |
|---|---|---|
| Stockpile levelsWe do not publish stock figures until they have been audited. | To be published | LHS Act 2026, s.8A |
| Annual drill report | To be published | LHS Act 2026, s.8A(b) |
| National preparedness plan | To be published | LHS Act 2026, s.8B |