Current workforce census
The FPH Workforce Census 2009 has now been extended.
Workforce planning is about making sure we have the right number of public health consultants and specialists for the future. Robust data can inform the process, and can help us plan and make the case for an appropriate number of public health trainees.
This data is important because:
- It informs the allocation of training numbers and new trainees to public health
- Public health consultants work in a multiplicity of different settings and are employed by a number of different bodies including the NHS, universities, the Health Protection Agency and the Department of Health
- Evidence from advisory appointments committees shows that there are few or even no suitable applicants for some posts
- The age at which individuals choose to retire has a profound effect on workforce figures
- Comparative data between regions can provide a powerful argument for increasing resources for public health.
The information collected in this census is not available elsewhere.
This is the fourth workforce census undertaken by FPH, the previous ones being done in 2003, 2005 and 2007. This year, in line with the FPH environmental policy and in interest of keeping costs as low as possible, the data collection has been done largely via an online survey. However, the response rate has been significantly lower than in previous years. Please complete this survey as soon as possible so that the accurate state of the public health workforce can be reported.
The questionnaire should take no more than ten minutes to complete.
Please help FPH reduce its carbon footprint by completing the census questionnaire online by clicking here. Alternatively, please complete the hard copy which will be enclosed in the December edition of ph.com.
