Consultation on the Public Health (Functions and General Public Health Duty) Bill 2026

Feedback updated 17 Jul 2026

We asked

The Cabinet Office sought views on legislation to a Bill provide a legal basis for Public Health on the Island. This Bill included provisions relating to the appointment and functions of a Chief Public Health Officer, a general public health duty for public bodies and amendments to the Public Health Act 1990.

You said

The consultation ran from 22 January 2026 to 20 February 2026 and received 49 responses.

Overall:

There was qualified support for the appointment of a Chief Public Health Officer:

  • A significant number of respondents were of the view that this position should be held by a medical professional or someone with medical experience

There was strong support for the proposed Public Health functions and duties:

  • Some comments did express concerns as how the functions will be delivered, and if some proposed functions (e.g. commissioning) were suitable

There was strong support for the proposed general public health duty:

  • A small number of comments expressed either support, or opposition, for assessments to support this duty
     
  • Additional comments noted the duty supported integrated public services and suggested the duty should apply Island-wide.

There was strong support for Public Health to have the powers to establish advisory bodies:

  • A small number of comments did express concerns as to the resource impact of such bodies, and whether or not this power was required

There was strong support for the proposed definition of public bodies in relation to the general public health duty:

  • Some comments did suggest this term could be narrowed or unlinked from the definition in the Freedom of Information Act 2015

There was strong support for the proposed amendments to the Public Health Act 1990:

  • A small number of comments did highlight concerns over the suitability of extending statutory nuisance provisions or controls on vermin
     
  • One comment suggested a broader review of that Act is required

We did

The Cabinet Office is grateful to all those who responded to the consultation. Public Health will now:

  • Take into consideration the feedback from this consultation
     
  • Engage with local authorities on the proposed public health duty
     
  • Seek further feedback on the issues raised by this consultation
     
  • Having regard to recent amendments to the National Health Service Act 2001, consult on provisions relating to consent requirements for public health activities

Once these actions have been undertaken the intention is to promote a revised Bill for consideration in 2027.

Closed 20 Feb 2026

Opened 22 Jan 2026

Contact

Karl Cubbon

(Legislation and Policy Manager)

Public Health Isle of Man

+44 1624 642615

karl.cubbon@gov.im

Overview

Providing a legal basis for delivering public health on the Isle of Man

Acts of Tynwald provide the legal basis for the provision of public services on the Island. However, there is not a single Act of Tynwald that sets out the legal basis for Public Health. Instead, the legal basis for the provision of public health services on the Island is provided by a number of Acts of Tynwald, the main ones being:

  • The Local Government Act 1985, which provides the legal basis for the appointment of the director of public health and the deputy director of Public Health
     
  • The National Health Service Act 2001, which provides most of the legal basis for the services provided by Public Health
     
  • The Public Health Act 1990 and associated regulations made by the Council of Ministers, which provide the legal basis for some of the health protection activities undertaken by Public Health

This legislation does not properly encompass the wide range of services and functions undertaken by Public Health. Nor does this legislation allow flexibility for changes to these services in the future.

While Public Health was successfully transferred to Cabinet Office in 2020, it still lacks the legal powers to provide advice and guidance across government, and there is no requirement for Departments to factor public health guidance into policy setting and legislation.

Why your views matter

The work of Public Health affects all members of our Island community. We want to make sure the proposed Bill is right for you and the people you care about. Providing your views will help ensure that the Bill, and the provision of services that it will underpin, works for you.

Reasonable adjustment and alternative formats

The Department is committed to equal opportunities, and our aim it to make our documents easy to use and accessible to all.

We will take steps to accommodate any reasonable adjustment and provide such assistance as you may require to enable you to access, or reply to, this consultation.

If you would like to receive this document in another format or need assistance with accessing or replying to this consultation, please email publichealth@gov.im or call +44 1624 642639.

Sharing your feedback

The proposed Bill provides a clear legal basis for the delivery of public health services on the Island, and provides scope for these services to be changed in the future.

Your feedback is important to ensure the legal basis for these public health services is appropriate to meet the needs of the Island.

You can respond to this consultation online by clicking on the ‘Online survey’ link below.

Alternatively, you can download and complete the PDF version of this consultation in the ‘related’ section below and email it to publichealth@gov.im or print the PDF and post it to:

Public Health,
3rd Floor Markwell House,
Market Street,
Douglas,
IM1 2RJ

Handing of sensitive personal information

It is not intended for this consultation to gather any personal, medical or health information. Any details of this nature provided within the consultation will be excluded and disposed of under the relevant Data Protection legislation and guidelines (opens in a new tab).

What happens next

Public Health will review and analyse the responses to the consultation.  This analysis will be used to identify themes, suggestions and any potential concerns with the proposed Bill. It will inform and guide any future revisions to the Bill and the timetable for its introduction into the branches of Tynwald.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • All residents

Interests

  • Health
  • Public Health