President's update
Hectic first month, especially for Gordon, but I've been busy too. Won't bore you with the details, ranging from wild celebrations in a newly smoke-free pub to serious deliberations trying to sort out specialist medical training.
Colleagues in public health medicine are going through a tough time at the moment. Quite apart from having to contend with the notorious online MTAS application system and the lack of flexibility in the new medical specialist training framework, they are understandably concerned that at the end of the line there may not be enough public health jobs making proper use of their clinical skills and expertise.
This is a key issue. Public health is multidisciplinary and there are elements of the work which undoubtedly benefit from a clinical input – particularly in the domains of health protection and healthcare quality. In my view, a truly balanced PH team needs that special combination of medical expertise and a population health perspective. But I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.
This month's FPH Bulletin signposts two important consultations – the Public Health Skills and Careers Framework and the Darzi Review of the NHS – both crucially important for the future of Public Health. You'll find details of how to put in your pennyworth below.
Best wishes
Alan Maryon Davis
comments@fph.org.uk
NHS Next Stage Review
New Health Minister, Professor Sir Ara Darzi, is leading a wide-ranging NHS review which will focus on meeting healthcare challenges over the next decade and ensuring that the NHS is patient-focused, clinically-led and locally accountable.
An interim assessment will take place in autumn 2007 and a final report is due before the 60th anniversary of the NHS in July 2008. What do you think should be included? We want you to shape the FPH's response to the review. Send your comments/ views/ opinions to the FPH President at comments@fph.org.uk by 20 August 2007.
View the terms of reference for the review [Word]
Public Health Skills and Career Framework - consultation
An important consultation has been issued on the public health skills and career framework.
This UK-wide framework is intended as a route map for public health, spanning the three categories of the public health workforce - specialists, practitioners and the 'wider workforce'. It is multi-disciplinary, multi-agency and multi-professional.
The Faculty of Public Health will be submitting a response to this consultation and would welcome your comments on the proposals.
If you would like to contribute to the Faculty's response, please send your comments to comments@fph.org.uk by 20 August 2007. Alternatively you can respond directly to the consultation by using the response form [Word].
Download the consultation version of the Public Health Skills and Careers Framework [663KB pdf] for comment.
Membership of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
We have been asked to nominate a representative to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics which examines the ethical issues raised by advances in biological and medical research to promote public understanding and assist policy makers.
If you are interested in applying for nomination to be the FPH representative, please complete the one-page application form and send it, with a copy of your short CV, to lindseystewart@fph.org.uk by Tuesday 7 August 2007.
The Pharma Awards
This is the launch year of The Pharma Awards, a major new event in the calendar for all dedicated health professionals working to improve patient health.
Independently judged, the 21 Pharma Awards will recognise and celebrate the achievements of those individuals and teams who are setting standards and are involved in innovative practice.
PharmacyHealthLink is one of the supporting organisations and is supporting the award category: “Outstanding Contribution to Public Health Improvement through Pharmacy.”
The deadline for nominations is 10 September 2007 and the judging process and short-listing will be carried out by the end of September.
For more information or to make an online nomination, please visit: www.pharmawards.co.uk.
Volunteers for the BMJ Careers Fair
The London BMJ Careers Fair is being held in the Islington Business Design Centre on 5 & 6 October 2007. The fair will include more than 25 seminars covering interview skills, CV writing and Modernising Medical Careers updates, as well as sessions on working abroad and outside of the NHS, and GP seminars.
We are seeking volunteers to attend and provide information on a career in public health at the FPH stand. Attendees visiting the FPH exhibition stand will be looking for information on training, finding a new job or identifying alternative career pathways.
Volunteers will be accompanied by FPH staff. If you are interested in volunteering to attend this event please contact Russell Ampofo, Head of Education and Training, russellampofo@fph.org.uk
New ASH Bulletin
ASH has revamped and relaunched their Parliamentary Bulletin. This will be issued on an ad hoc basis as and when they have issues to publicise. For further information visit ASH at: www.ash.org.uk
Wales Centre for Health (WCfH) - Invitation to Tender
The WCfH provides top up training to individuals planning to prepare retrospective portfolios for admission to the UK Voluntary Register for Public Health Specialists.
WCfH invites tenders from suitably experienced providers for delivery of the following services (commencing 1 September 2007; terminating 31 March 2008):
- Five initial one-to-one's/learning needs assessments
- Five learning sets
- Five one-to-one's
- 15 summary appraisals
- Five draft portfolio reviews
Tender packs can be obtained from Kelly Mason: telephone 029 20 227744 or email Kelly.mason@wch.wales.nhs.uk.
Closing date for tender documents: 15 August 2007, 2pm.
www.wch.wales.nhs.uk
Events
Only Faculty sponsored events are listed below, however a list of public health events across the UK is available at www.publichealthconferences.org.uk/all_events.php. If you would like to list your event, please email news@fph.org.uk.
Patient Safety Research - Shaping the European agenda
24-26 September 2007
Porto, Portugal
UK Faculty of Public Health, University College London, WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety
For further information see www.patientsafetyresearch.org
21st Century Trends – Threats and Opportunities for Public Health
15-16 November 2007
Airth Castle Hotel, Falkirk in Forth Valley
Faculty of Public Health Scottish Affairs Committee
For further information see: www.publichealthconferences.org.uk/scotland_2007