The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC)’s objective is to help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer. It sets the overall strategy, funds and oversees the health and social care system with, and through, its 28 agencies and public bodies.

Most of the day-to-day operational management of the NHS takes place at arm’s length from DHSC. NHS England, the Department’s largest arm’s-length body, sets the framework for the commissioning of healthcare services in England.

Two other bodies work closely with DHSC: the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

OHID works across DHSC, the rest of government, the healthcare system, local government and industry to be creative about preventing ill health, in particular in places and communities where there are the most significant disparities.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for protecting every community from the impact of infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and other health threats. It provides leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the nation's health secure.

In January 2018, the Department of Health became the Department of Health & Social Care, with the creation of an additional ministerial position for care. The Department had previously held the responsibility for adult social care policy in England but this change in title emphasises a greater focus on adult social care.