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Sign up to the free NICE Annual Conference 2012 public health webinar for your chance to pose questions to a panel of expert speakers.

From April 2013, councils will be responsible for commissioning public health services to tackle a range of issues such as binge drinking, obesity and smoking.

Local authorities will also be tasked with providing public health advice to NHS commissioners, as part of the government's plans to go further and faster in tackling the causes of premature death and illness and reducing health inequalities.

‘Public Health: Managing the Transition' is an interactive web-based seminar that will focus on the tricky transition of public health responsibilities from primary care trusts (PCTs) to local government.

By participating in the NICE webinar, which will take place on the 22 February, you will be able to steer the debate on this changing public health landscape and discuss how the new arrangements will affect local authorities.

Topics for discussion include:

• Commissioning in local authorities
• Using evidence in public health
• Commissioning good value public health programmes
• Moving public health into local authorities: how NICE can help.

The panel of expert speakers consists of Dr Frank Atherton, director of Public Health at NHS North Lancashire, Susan Biddle, Head of Healthy Communities, LGA and Rachel Flowers, Director of Public Health at London Borough of Newham.

Professor Mike Kelly, Director of the Centre for Public Health Excellence at NICE, will be facilitating the event.

Professor Kelly said: “The webinar will provide an ideal opportunity to take stock of the new responsibilities announced for local government at the end of 2011.

“NICE already has a suite of public health guidance on the majority of these new responsibilities, and the webinar will provide a discussion on how NICE can help in this and other areas.”

To watch and participate in the NICE Annual Conference 2012 Webinar, simply register online. Please use the VIP code: H202-WEBINAR when booking.

Taking place on the 14-15 May, the NICE Annual Conference 2012 will feature a dedicated public health stream, as well as a panel discussion on day one on how the NHS and Public Health England will fit together.