From the President
Welcome to March's ebulletin.
FPH history was made in February when, for the first time, the Board met outside London. On this occasion we went to Belfast, where some of us were able to join an excellent afternoon of discussion with the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the day before the board meeting itself. Public heath in Northern Ireland was reorganised very substantially two years ago, when the new public health agency was formed. This is now getting firmly into its stride and I was struck by – and, frankly, inspired by – everyone's energy and enthusiasm for the new system, their contributions to it, and the impact it's already making on the public's health.
This is something of a contrast to England at the moment, where so many people I meet are struggling to focus on their 'day' jobs among the current uncertainty and turmoil. Colleagues in Belfast are sympathetic to this, having recently experienced a similar transition themselves, and have offered help and support to anyone who needs a friend to chat to. We are exploring how we can put some practical links in place.
One of the main debates at the board meeting was a discussion, drawing on feedback from national and local discussions, from members' emails and from our surveys, of the principles which should underpin our response to the consultations on the future public health system in England. These can be read on the FPH website. Please do look at them and use them in your local discussions where you can. If you think we have missed something important, do let us know.
The Board also discussed professional regulation, confirming our support for statutory regulation for all specialists in public health and the importance of a single set of professional standards, set by FPH. We will be returning to the subject in more detail at our next meeting.
Looking ahead, planning for the FPH annual conference in Birmingham is well advanced, and I hope to see many of you there. Building on last year's success and wanting to keep costs down as far as we can, we're having a one-day conference again with top-quality sessions throughout the day and plenty of time to meet and talk. Places are limited, so do sign up soon on our conference web pages.
In the meantime, I am continuing my visits to regional meetings and am always happy to be invited to speak at local events – or just to meet and chat with colleagues. Do contact Valerie Macdonald, my PA here at FPH (0207 935 0243), if you'd like me to come.
Lindsey
FPH news
Vacancy for lay member
FPH is seeking to recruit a lay member to advise on FPH Education and Training strategic and operational functions.
Accountable to the Academic Registrar and Head of Education and Training, the role of the lay member is to provide external and lay input to discussions and development work of the FPH Education Committee.
This is an exciting and important role within FPH and would serve as a valuable addition to the successful applicant's personal development.
Please go to our Work for FPH web page for more information.
Interested parties should submit their CV and a citation (no longer than 500 words), explaining why they feel they would be suitable for the position.
Completed applications must be submitted via email to educ@fph.org.uk by 31 March 2011.
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FPH Board
A summary report of the last meeting of the FPH Board held on 17 February 2011 can be found on the FPH website.
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FPH Annual General Meeting
Members are given advanced notice of FPH's AGM which this year will take place at the annual conference at 5.15pm on Monday 4 July 2011 at the University of Birmingham.
All members are invited to attend.
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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
New CMO appointed
FPH welcomes the appointment of Professor Dame Sally Davies as the new Chief Medical Officer for England.
FPH is pleased that we will be able to continue to work with Professor Davies on those important challenges currently facing the public health profession.
So far, Professor Davies has demonstrated her willingness to engage in and listen to our concerns and we look forward to working with her.
For further information read the press statement from the Department of Health.
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Recognise stroke symptoms and act FAST to get help
Every year, around 110,000 people in England have a stroke. It's the third leading cause of death and there are at least 300,000 people living in England with disabilities as a result of stroke.
Recognising the signs of stroke and getting immediate medical attention can save lives and reduce the damage caused. Learn how to act FAST.
- Face - has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
- Arms - can they raise both arms and keep them there?
- Speech - is their speech slurred?
- Time - time to call 999 if you see any one of these signs.
The Department of Health is working with the Stroke Association on the campaign which will run for three weeks this month.
For more information go to the Act FAST website where you can find a video of the ads and an interactive test that staff can use as training material.
There are also leaflets and posters that can be downloaded.
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Public Health England - an alternative way forward
A paper has been published in the Lancet which offers an alternative vision for Public Health England.
The authors, including Martin McKee and Jenny Mindell, raise some important points for consideration and debate.
The authors' proposals offer some interesting solutions to those issues around lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities in the new system, and how the new organisation will function if it is part of the Department of Health - solutions which could provide a degree of security and operational clarity.
FPH will certainly be debating these ideas. Read the article here.
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National Institute for Health Research funding opportunities announced
The NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme produces independent research information about the effectiveness, costs and broader impact of healthcare treatments and tests for those who plan, provide or receive care in the NHS.
New funding opportunities have just been announced in the area of sexual health, and research proposals are sought on the following topics:
- Condom use training
- Sexual health behaviour change interventions by text messaging
The deadline for submissions is 1pm on Thursday 7 April 2011. Application forms and all associated documents are available on the HTA programme website.
For any further enquiries please contact the HTA commissioning team on 023 8059 5621 or at htacmsng@southampton.ac.uk
In this issue:
From the President
FPH news
FPH events
Public health news
FPH in the news
Public health events
FPH 2011 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Public Health in a Changing World
4 July 2011, University of Birmingham
In Birmingham for the first time, this year the influential FPH annual conference will look at how public health operates in a world of changing structures, different players in public health policy, increasing financial constraints (nationally and globally), and the increasing need for innovation in public health to meet these challenges.
We are in the process of confirming speakers so watch out for announcements in the ebulletin and on our website.
Early-bird booking: Registration is now open. To secure your place – at an early-bird rate – go to our conference web page.
Poster display and competition: Send your poster applications to us by 31 March; application forms can be downloaded from our website. They can be on any topic but we would like to see posters that fit with the conference theme of 'Public health in a changing world'.
So book the date in your diary – 4 July 2011 – and make sure you reserve your place at one of the most prominent events in the public health calendar.
For more information visit our conference web page or contact Karen Tidy at karentidy@fph.org.uk or on 020 7935 3115.
FPH in the news
New Public Health White Paper for England: Lessons for National Public Health Systems, or Things to Avoid?
Gesundheit Newsletter by the Stockholm Network (Thinktank)
Public health tremors could unleash a monster
Health Service Journal
What public health experts say about the NHS shakeup
The Guardian
Development fears over half of English five year olds – response to Marmot report
BBC News online
Government Healthy Eating Initiative
Radio 4, You and Yours
Responsibility deals
Radio 4, Food Programme
Alcohol in moderation 'can help prevent heart disease'
BBC Health News Online
On the FPH blog
FPH is looking for new blog writers. If you are interested, please send a 50-word pitch to richardallen@fph.org.uk
Anything topical and public health related will be considered.
Read more on the FPH blog.
Public health events
For more information on any of these events please visit the FPH events website
Why Do We Always End Up Here? Medicine's Conceptual Cul de Sacs and Some Off-road Alternative Routes
Date: 08 March 2011
Venue: Perrin Lecture Theatre, Whitechapel, London
Public Health Policy Development and Implementation
Date: 10 March 2011
Venue: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
How we know what we know and why we do what we do - Research, Evidence, Knowledge Practice and Values in Healthcare
Date: 15 March 2011
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Medical Teaching Centre, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL
National Salt Awareness Week
Date: 21-27 March 2011
Venue: House of Commons - launch
Salt: Neptune's Poisoned Chalice
Date: 22 March 2011
Venue: Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Wolfson Institute, Charterhouse Square, London
Having Babies at Older Ages
Date: 05 April 2011
Venue: Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Wolfson Institute, Charterhouse Square, London
A Smith Institute inquiry into the strengths and weaknesses of the NHS Reform Programme
Date: 05 April 2011
Venue: 3 Albion Place, Leeds, LS1 6JL
Fuse, Knowledge Exchange in Public Health Conference
Date: 11-12 April 2011
Venue: Ramside Hall Hotel, County Durham
Society for Genomic Policy and Population Health Spring Conference and General Meeting
Date: 11 April 2011
Venue: Cardiff University Council Chamber, Cardiff
Hunting for the Causes of Asthma and COPD: An Epidemiologist's Journey
Date: 03 May 2011
Venue: Perrin Lecture Theatre, Whitechapel, London
Truth, Commerce and the Academy: When Can We Trust Public Health Research?
Date: 17 May 2011
Venue: Perrin Lecture Theatre, Whitechapel, London
Five Nations Health Protection Conference
Date: 17-18 May 2011
Venue: The Quay Hotel and Spa, Deganwy Quay, Conwy, North Wales
A Smith Institute inquiry into the strengths and weaknesses of the NHS Reform Programme - Bristol
Date: 19 May 2011
Venue: Elton Room, Armada House, Telephone Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4BQ
Occupational Asthma Workshop (one-day course)
Date: 24 May 2011
Venue: National Heart and Lung Institute, London SW3
Summer Scientific Meeting 2011
Date: 25-26 May 2011
Venue: Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Frederick House, 19 South Frederick Street, Dublin
19th International Conference on Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services
Date: 01-03 June 2011
Venue: Hotel Caribia, Turku, Finland
Birth of a Network: Developing Women's Health Research
Date: 07 June 2011
Venue: Perrin Lecture Theatre, Whitechapel, London
A Smith Institute inquiry into the strengths and weaknesses of the NHS Reform Programme - Manchester
Date: 16 June 2011
Venue: The Conference Hall, Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester, M2 5DB
The Food for Life Partnership and FPH conference
Date: 22 June 2011
Venue: London
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
Society for Social Medicine 2011 Conference
Date: 14-16 September 2011
Venue: Warwick University
Closing date for abstracts: 14 March
For more information please visit the FPH events website
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