| answer text |
<p>The duties on local authorities in relation to oral health, including oral health
promotion are set out in the NHS Bodies and Local Authorities (Partnership Arrangements,
Care Trusts, Public Health and Local Healthwatch) Regulations 2012 (<a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3094/pdfs/uksi_20123094_en.pdf"
target="_blank">http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3094/pdfs/uksi_20123094_en.pdf</a>).
The Regulations make specific provision for authorities to operate a complaints system
in relation to their public health functions. This includes a requirement to compile
an annual report of complaints about public health functions, which must be publicly
available.</p><p>This statutory framework therefore establishes at the local level,
provision for the public to complain about local authority public health matters,
and require local authorities to produce an annual report of complaints which must
be available to the public. This is consistent with Government policy that local government
is held to account at the local level by its electorate.</p><p>Should a local authority
fail to comply with its statutory duties, it is for the electorate to hold their local
authority to account, either through the ballot box or through judicial review. The
Local Government Ombudsman can investigate complaints of maladministration in local
authorities, and recommend redress for individuals.</p>
|
|
