This is the first Forth Valley Joint Health Protection Plan and covers the period from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2012.

The Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 requires NHS Boards, in consultation with Local Authorities, to produce a Joint Health Protection Plan which provides an overview of health protection (communicable disease and environmental standards) priorities, provision and preparedness for the NHS Board area.

The Joint Health Protection Plan (JHPP) draws together previously distinct strands of work undertaken by the three Local Authorities, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling and Forth Valley NHS Board, focusing on health protection, into a single concise compendium. The aim of the JHPP is to build on best practice in the delivery of health protection services across Forth Valley.

The primary objectives of the JHPP are to:

1. Provide a strategic focus for current and future health protection related work undertaken within Forth Valley by the four partner agencies.
2. Provide a compendium for the partner agencies and other stakeholders on the priorities and the delivery of health protection services within Forth Valley.
3. Provide information on key policies, guidance or advice on health protection matters to members of the public.
4. Highlight and disseminate evidence of the support given and direct investment made by the partner agencies in the delivery of health protection services.
5. Demonstrate the achievements of the partner agencies in contributing to health improvement in Forth Valley through health protection.

This first JHPP provides a baseline for the objectives given above. Future plans will take forward these objectives and act as a framework for the coordinated development of multi agency health protection services within Forth Valley. This will allow partner agencies to co-ordinate the design, delivery and review of projects and initiatives which underpin the development and delivery of health protection services.