From the President
Happy New Year! And welcome to the January 2012 ebulletin.
Last month I described the challenges still facing us in our efforts to ensure that the new public health system in England is safe, effective, professional and appropriate. I explained that the months of December and January would be critical as the Lords debate the Health and Social Care Bill and government departments draft the policy papers that will guide implementation if the Bill is passed.
The first two of the promised five policy papers has now been published, and it is great to see that our work is at last bearing visible fruit. The government has, for example, made the following commitments:
- The Director of Public Health (DPH) will have equivalent status to the directors of adult social care and children's services, be a statutory chief officer of the local authority and the authority's lead on all aspects of the health agenda, including all three domains of public health.
- FPH will be fully involved, as we are now, in DPH appointments.
- Public Health England will be expected to work "transparently", will be able to generate income and will have an advisory board including non-executives.
- DPH appointments between now and 2013 must continue to follow the existing procedures for AACs, with active FPH involvement and future appointments processes will build on these.
There is even a glimmer of light on the regulation front, in that the Future Forum's second-stage report has recommended that all public health specialists should be regulated.
Many challenges remain. We must clarify the arrangements for health protection, make sense of immunisation and screening, secure appropriate arrangements for training in the new world, get public health into the NHS commissioning Board, ensure that the terms and conditions of service for all public health specialists continue to attract and retain the very best staff... and more. There is a long list, and it's vital that we continue our efforts, working with other public health organisations, to get things right. We've shown we can make a difference and we mustn't give up now.
In this context, I hope that you will all have received your invitation to the Extraordinary General Meeting on 25 January 2012. This has been called at the request of 63 members, some of whom who feel that, rather than spending time on the public health system, FPH should stop engaging with the government and focus all its efforts on demanding that the whole Health and Social Care Bill be withdrawn. I personally think this would be a mistake, but FPH is a democratic organisation; it's important that we discuss things openly, and I'm looking forward to the debate. You can find details of the EGM and registration arrangements on the FPH website. Please come if you can.
I am also looking forward to the time when we will be able to pay proper attention to wider public health policy issues again. We have had some recent success on this front too: the support that our proposals for minimum alcohol pricing are now getting across government, including, we understand, the Prime Minister's office, is excellent news and a great start to the new year. But it would be wonderful to be able to do even more - and there is so much that needs to be done!
With my very best wishes for 2012,
Lindsey
FPH news
FPH Board meeting
The Board met on 17 November in London. A summary report of the meeting can be read here. The next meeting of the Board is on 21 February 2012.
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2011 Membership Survey
A report on the 2011 membership survey is now available in the Online Members' Area. The survey was carried out with the aim of identifying areas for improvement in activities and the membership services FPH offers, and of strengthening our relationship with members and achieving more effective and active engagement from them.
The FPH Membership Services and Engagement Group is currently considering the survey and its outcomes in order to inform the development of a full Membership Engagement Strategy. Many thanks to all the members who completed the survey.
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2011 Workforce Census
The 2011 FPH workforce survey is now open for you to complete.
Workforce planning is about making sure we have the right number of public health consultants and specialists for the future. Robust data is vital to inform the process. We have kept the survey as short as possible, to minimise the time it takes for you to complete: we estimate that the survey will take only 15 minutes.
If you previously encountered technical difficulties in completing the survey these have now been resolved.
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CPD Director
Dr Anne Mackie, the current CPD Director, will complete her extended term of office in July 2012. FPH is therefore seeking a replacement CPD Director who can take over following the 2012 FPH Annual General Meeting.
Further details and a full job description and person specification.
Interested applicants should send their CV and letter, including a 500-word expression of interest, to the Head of Professional Standards at cpd@fph.org.uk by 20 January 2012.
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CPD reminder for all FPH members
CPD returns for 2011 (or applications for exemption) must be submitted to the FPH office by 30 June 2012. 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.
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Amendments to training e-Portfolio
Following feedback from Registrars, Training Supervisors and E-Portfolio Champions, FPH's Education team have been working to make amendments to the training e-Portfolio. New functionality has been piloted with an Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) in a region, and we have used this further feedback to make additional amendments.
The new version of the portfolio will be launched in February 2012, and we are currently developing a communications strategy to keep you updated via the e-bulletin, FPH committee meetings and at forthcoming workshop events.
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Appointments
We are very pleased to report that Annette Wood and Brendan Mason have been appointed as Assistant Academic Registrars. They are filling a casual vacancy until the FPH AGM in 2012 and can be contacted via the Education Department (educ@fph.org.uk).
We are also delighted to announce that Andrew Taylor has been appointed as Local Board Member for Yorkshire & the Humber. Again, he fills a casual vacancy until the FPH AGM in 2012. Andrew is Assistant Director of Public Health Science at NHS Hull and would welcome hearing from members in the region. His email address is Andrew.Taylor@hullpct.nhs.uk
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Standards for Effective Public Health Teams
To inform the current discussions around the future of public health, a paper has been developed that describes the various domains of public health practice, proposes related public health outcomes and the characteristics of the public health team and resources required to achieve them.
The Public Health Standards and Knowledge Committee (PHSKC) of FPH has undertaken an exploration of standards that have already been published and/or used in public health practice in the UK and has attempted to describe how the various public health functions carried out currently by the teams locally and regionally might be delivered in the future through the public health service, through local authorities and through GP consortia.
This paper is envisaged as a working draft and consultation will continue with the public health community in order to establish a definitive document over the coming months. It will be used by FPH and ADPH to help the government shape the design of the English Public Health Service. RDPHs, DPHs, public health consultants and specialist registrars are encouraged to debate the issues raised by this document and use pertinent information to inform local decision-making but also to feedback to FPH in order that the paper is a living document, reflective of the needs of the population.
Further details on Standards for Effective Public Health Teams.
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Invitation to comment on GMC arrangements for trainers
The GMC is consulting on new arrangements for recognising and approving trainers.
The proposals cover:
- Named educational supervisors in postgraduate training
- Named clinical supervisors in postgraduate training
- Lead coordinators of undergraduate training
- Doctors responsible for overseeing students' educational progress.
Consultation and guidance documents.
We would like to receive your thoughts on whether there is the right balance between building on the best existing arrangements and providing a structure so those arrangements become standard in all fields of medical training across the UK. Please send all feedback and comments to Gareth Cooke at garethcooke@fph.org.uk
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Child and adolescent health in secure settings
FPH is seeking an expert member to represent the organisation on a joint initiative looking at developing a consistent set of standards for child and adolescent health across the secure estate – namely YOIs, secure children's homes and secure training centres. FPH is supporting this work as part of an intercollegiate group, lead by the RCPCH.
If you have the expertise to represent FPH on this important group, contact Lindsey Stewart by 21 January 2012, with a one-page outline of your skills and expertise and a supporting statement (of no more than 500 words).
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Continuing Professional Development reminder for all FPH members
CPD returns for 2011 (or applications for exemption) must be submitted to the FPH office by 30 June 2012. 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
'Cameron plans minimum alcohol price in England'
Prime Minister David Cameron has ordered officials to develop a scheme in England to stop the sale of alcohol at below 40p to 50p a unit in shops and supermarkets, according to the Daily Telegraph. Ministers could copy Scottish proposals, which would ban the sale of alcohol below 45p a unit, or bring in a more sophisticated system of taxes based on the number of alcohol units contained in the drink, the newspaper reports.
The Telegraph understands that the Prime Minister personally ordered the radical 'big bang' approach, which will be included in the government's forthcoming alcohol strategy. It was due for release this month, but has now been delayed until February.
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National General Practice Profiles tool and Disease Prevalence Estimates
Two products from the network of Public Health Observatories in England have been launched: the revised National General Practice Profiles tool and updated Disease Prevalence Estimates. The prevalence estimates are included for the first time as indicators within the profiles tool and are also provided as a standalone product for further uses.
The National General Practice Profiles tool is an example of a user-friendly format for viewing raw data, which is designed to support GPs, CCGs and PCTs. If you have any queries or feedback please contact feedback@erpho.org.uk, and you can comment on the revised profiles tool by completing the user survey linked from the tool itself.
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Cancer Research UK - healthcare staff training needs survey
This survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and you are free to withdraw at any time. It forms part of Cancer Research UK's needs assessment for work it are undertaking to deliver cancer awareness training to community-based staff. The charity is focusing on staff who interface with the public and have a role in cancer prevention and early diagnosis. It plans to use the information to tailor its future training strategy to ensure that it meets local need.
All the information that is collected will be anonymous, unless you choose to provide contact details, and will be kept strictly confidential. Your personal data will be held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. All details that can identify you will be removed before storing the data.
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Climate change courses
New University of the West of England online short courses are now available: 'The Science of Climate Change' and 'Climate Change and Spatial Planning'. These have been launched to coincide with the United Nations' 17th annual climate change conference which took place in Durban, South Africa.
These courses allow you to explore the issue of climate change and what it means for communities and the built environment. Each course represents approximately 12 hours of interactive learning. Further information.
In this issue:
From the President
FPH news
Public health news
FPH in the news
Public health events
FPH in the news
Death rate in Welsh villages similar to African countries
The Daily Telegraph
David Cameron pledges to 'look carefully' at cheap alcohol after warning from doctors
The Daily Telegraph
Eat, drink and be merry – but put a tax on junk food
The Guardian
Memory loss can begin from age 45, scientists say
The Guardian
BBC News online
Ministers back call to quiz patients on lifestyles
BBC News online
Nurse health and wellbeing should be 'core principle' for NHS trusts
Nursing Times
NHS chief executives should be 'held to account' for improving staff health
Health Service Journal
Public health director to be statutory council post
Health Service Journal
On the FPH blog
"The implant/explant fiasco"
FPH is looking for new blog writers. If you are interested, please send a 50-word pitch to Liz Nightingale. 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 Cambridge Post-UN Summit Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health in the Developing Countries
Date: 20 January 2012
Venue: Clare College (Riley Auditorium), University of Cambridge
Introduction to Public Health Research Advocacy
Date: 26 January 2012
Venue: Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WT
Public Mental Health and Wellbeing: measurement, determinants and promotion
Date: 6-10 February 2012
Venue: Warwick Medical School
Alcohol-Related Harms and Chronic Diseases: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?
Date: 7 February 2012
Venue: The Royal Society of Medicine, London
Arts and Wellbeing: Recent Developments, Future Challenges
Date: 9 February 2012
Venue: 28 Portland Place, London, W1B 1LY
Children's Food Conference
Date: 7 March 2012
Venue: CBI Conference Centre, London, WC1A 1DU
Substance Misuse and Older People
Date: 8 March 2012
Venue: ORT House Conference Centre, London NW1 7NE
Leading a Sustainable Health System in a Resource Constrained World
Date: 20-21 March 2012
Venue: Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Sport and Exercise Medicine from Playing Field to Podium
Date: 22 March 2012
Venue: Royal College of Physicians, London
Population Health - Methods and Challenges
Date: 24-26 April 2012
Venue: The ICC Birmingham
Five Nations Health Protection Conference 2012
Date: 1-2 May 2012
Venue: Europa Hotel, Belfast
ePIC 2012, the 10th International ePortfolio and Identity Conference
Date: 9-11 July 2012
Venue: IET Savoy Place, London
The Society for Social Medicine's Annual Scientific Meeting
Date: 12-14 September 2012
Venue: London
For more information please visit the FPH events website
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