From the President
Welcome to January's ebulletin.
Happy New Year!
I'm starting with the customary greeting, but I recognise that for many of us 2011 promises to be a testing time as the economic climate makes an increasing impact on life, work and health. The meteorological climate has brought its own challenges, and I know that I am by no means alone in having had the Christmas holiday disrupted by frozen roads, burst pipes and transport problems. All of this brought home to me – again – the fragility of our infrastructure, the importance of forward planning and of supportive networks, at home and at work.
Earlier this week the Cabinet Office published an important discussion paper on the use of evidence from behavioural science and economics to influence health behaviour. The insights are helpful and, together with the pilots proposed in the report, have the potential to make real impacts. Much less helpful is the bald statement by Oliver Letwin in the associated press release that the Government "cannot address these [lifestyle] issues successfully using heavy-handed legislation". This is reasonable if it means that the Government is committed to an holistic approach, as implied by the inclusion of regulation as one part of a framework for action described in Healthy People, Healthy Lives, but is more concerning if it implies an expectation that influence can always - or even almost always - substitute for legislation. FPH will continue to encourage local and national governments to employ a range of approaches to health improvement, tailored to issues and contexts and including regulation where necessary.
Our discussions on the public health white paper continue including contributing to a number of consultation events. We decided to delay the members' survey that I mentioned last month until January as it seemed sensible to wait until the Draft Outcomes Framework and financial paper were available to inform views. We want to build on our reputation as an authoritative, evidence-based voice for public health. Solid evidence of our members' views and, in particular, the strength of support for or concern about key policies makes a big impact. It was invaluable in our discussions with the Department of Health on the white paper on the NHS in England, and I am confident that, with your help, we will bring even more influence to bear on the public health proposals as they evolve.
On a separate but related note, you will see we have announced the date of the FPH 2011 Annual Conference. We want to ensure it's an event that's right for you. So do please fill in the conference survey and watch out for further announcements in the bulletin.
Lindsey
FPH news
Public Health White Paper: The localisation of public health?
FPH is supporting a series of nationwide events run by CIEH and designed to seek your views regarding the Public Health White Paper as part of the consultation process taking place until 13 March 2011.
• Monday 24 January - London
• Thursday 27 January – York
• Wednesday 2 February – Coventry
• Thursday 17 February – Newcastle
• Tuesday 22 February - Manchester
These events provide the opportunity to hear first hand from the DH's Public Health White Paper team about the proposals for the new Public Health Service for England and play a proactive role in influencing your future.
Further information and to book online.
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Public Health White Paper – consultation event
FPH is also supporting a further White Paper Consultation event hosted by the Royal Society of Public Health on 21 February.
Watch this space for further announcements or visit the Royal Society of Public Health website.
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Smokefree Action Coalition writes to Lansley
FPH, as part of the Smokefree Action Coalition (SFAC), has written to Secretary of State Andrew Lansley on the proposals to protect children through tobacco legislation and enforcement.
Read the SFAC letter.
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Dorrell lobbied on active travel
FPH President, Lindsey Davies, has signed a joint letter to the chair of the House of Commons Health Committee, Stephen Dorrell, requesting a meeting with him to discuss active travel in the context of the public health white paper.
Read the active travel joint letter.
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New Year's Honours
Congratulations to the following members on being recognised in this year's New Year's Honours list:
Prof Rory Edwards Collins (KB) FFPH
Prof Lewis Duthie Ritchie (KB) FFPH
Prof Sheila MacDonald Bird (OBE) FFPH
Dr Allison Streetly (OBE) FFPH
Stephen Simmons (MBE) FFPH
FPH would also like to congratulate:
Una O'Brien (CB)
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Public health white paper – online resource
For up-to-the minute information on FPH's work on and response to the public health white paper, Healthy Lives, Healthy People, and other related consultations, including press releases, letters and replies, as well as responses to previous consultation documents visit the White Paper page on the FPH website.
We also want to hear your thoughts/views/comments. Send them to: whitepaper@fph.org.uk
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Continuing Professional Development reminder for all FPH members
CPD returns for 2010 (or applications for exemption) must be submitted to the FPH office by 31 March 2011.
All FPH members must meet minimum CPD requirements in order to remain in good standing, either by submitting an annual return or by ensuring that FPH has formally agreed to the reasons for your exemption.
Submit a return at the FPH CPD Portfolio and Online Diary page.
If you have any queries about the completion of your return or your application for exemption, please contact cpd@fph.org.uk
If you wish to discuss your CPD requirements, please contact your regional/country CPD co-ordinator.
Public health news
Campaign for lower speeds on residential streets
People across the UK are being encouraged to lobby their local councillors for lower speeds in urban residential streets.
A 20mph speed limit is the key element of charity Sustrans' Quality Street campaign.
Sustrans' work with hundreds of residents reveals that the overwhelming majority are concerned that the streets outside their front doors are not safe for their children and are not even a safe place to meet and chat to friends, family and neighbours.
Over the last three years Sustrans has worked with local communities to improve their streets with inexpensive, cost-effective redesigns aimed at minimising speeding traffic, rat-running and anti-social behaviour.
Visit the Quality Streets website before the end of February to lobby your local councillor.
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BMJ Group Awards
The BMJ is inviting entries for its Group Awards.
These awards are designed to ensure that those who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to health care are recognised.
There are 13 award categories which include primary care team of the year, junior doctor of the year, sustainable healthcare, medical team in a crisis zone and innovation in healthcare.
How to enter:
1) Choose your category. Go to the Group Awards website to save the relevant entry form to your desktop
2) Fill in your entry form
3 ) To submit your entry form, follow the submission process before 24 January.
In this issue:
From the President
FPH news
FPH events
Public health news
FPH in the news
Public health events
FPH 2011 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
We are delighted to announce the date for the 2011 annual conference.
The one-day event will take place on Monday 4 July 2011 at the University of Birmingham.
Put the date in your diary and look out for further information in our monthly bulletins and on the website.
Please help us create the right conference for you by filling in this survey.
FPH in the news
Alan Maryon-Davis is dreaming of a white paper
HSJ
Nudge or fudge?
The Independent
Interview with Lindsey Davies, FPH President, about the public health white paper
You & Yours BBC Radio 4 (45mins in) -
Interview with Helen Walters, FPH obesity lead, about the OECD report on obesity in Europe
BBC Radio Five Live Drivetime show
New public health service in England
BMJ
Fears over health information gap
Local Government Chronicle
Child detainees still at risk
The Guardian
Interview with John Middleton, FPH Vice-President, about why the West Midlands is the most obese region in Europe
The Today Programme BBC Radio 4
Fifth 'end primary school obese'
BBC
The Guardian
Public health: a local service
GovToday
Swine flu: 200 fight for life
The Daily Mail
Swine flu: top doctor warns of crisis as few have H1N1 jab
The Guardian
On the FPH blog
There's plenty of Christmas cheer in the public health white paper. Warming words about the importance of protecting and improving health. Read more on the FPH blog.
FPH is looking for new blog writers. If you are interested, please send a 50-word pitch to suvikingsley@fph.org.uk. Anything topical and public health related will be considered.
Public health events
For more information on any of these events please visit the FPH events website
The White Paper and the Future of Public Health
Date: 12 January 2011
Venue: The Great Hall, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London
Equality and Diversity - Driving Better Outcomes
Date: 18 January 2011
Venue: Royal Lancaster Hotel, London
NHS Sustainable Development 2011 - Delivering Transformational Change
Date: 02 February 2011
Venue: Church House, Westminster, London
Public Mental Health and Wellbeing - Measurement, Determinants and Promotion
Date: 28 February 02 - 04 March 2011
Venue: University of Warwick
Yes, No, Maybe? Young People, Sex and Consent
Date: 03 March 2011
Venue: America Square Conference Centre, City of London
Public Health Policy Development and Implementation
Date: 10 March 2011
Venue: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
National Salt Awareness Week
Date: 21-27 March 2011
Venue: House of Commons - launch
Fuse, Knowledge Exchange in Public Health Conference
Date: 11-12 April 2011
Venue: Ramside Hall Hotel, County Durham
Occupational Asthma Workshop (one-day course)
Date: 24 May 2011
Venue: National Heart and Lung Institute, London SW3
19th International Conference on Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services
Date: 01-03 June 2011
Venue: Hotel Caribia, Turku, Finland
Workshop on Lung Function Tests, Asthma and Work (one-day course)
Date: 24 June 2011
Venue: National Heart and Lung Institute, London SW3
IEA World Congress of Epidemiology
Date: 07-12 August 2011
Venue: Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland
Health and Wellbeing – the 21st Century Agenda
Date: 01-30 September 2011
Venue: London
For more information please visit the FPH events website
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