RCP: Professor Sir Ian Gilmore to give evidence to health select committee

Monday, 20 June 2011 2:35 PM

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA), and Royal College of Physicians (RCP) special advisor on alcohol, will give evidence on alcohol issues to the Health Select Committee inquiry on Public Health at 11.45 am on Tuesday 21 June 2011 in Committee Room 5, House of Commons, Main Building. Sir Ian will be appearing with:

· Mark Baird, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Diageo Great Britain Limited

· Dr David Halpern, Head, Behavioural Insights Team, Cabinet Office

· Chris Arnold, Creative Partner, Creative Orchestra

The session is expected to cover issues surrounding the involvement of industry in public health campaigns, and the government’s Responsibility Deal on Public Health, which the RCP and other bodies refused to sign due to the weakness of the pledges on alcohol.

Key issues for the AHA are:

· Whilst business must play a part and have the opportunity to engage with health issues, the government must look first to doctors and public health specialists for leadership, expertise, advice and the evidence-base on how to address these issues.

· Although businesses have a role to play in implementing and supporting public health initiatives, it is not the place or responsibility of business to define public health policy.

· The development of the government’s new alcohol strategy gives an opportunity to help develop an evidence-based policy to reduce the unacceptably high levels of morbidity and mortality from alcohol in England.

· The drinks industry should be allowed to debate their counter proposals, but such a process should be transparent, fully open to the media and with representation from civil society.

Notes to Editors

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact RCP Communications Officer Andrew McCracken on 020 3075 1354, andrew.mccracken@rcplondon.ac.uk

For further information on the remit of the inquiry please see the parliament website:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/health-committee/inquiries/public-health/

For information on the Health Committee:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/health-committee/

The evidence session will be streamed live at www.parliamentlive.tv

Andrew McCracken | Communications Officer

Royal College of Physicians

11 St Andrews Place | London | NW1 4LE

Direct line +44 (0)203 075 1354

Mobile +44 (0)7990 745 608

www.rcplondon.ac.uk 

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