Public Health Intelligence in London PCTs Sylvia Godden

Public Health Intelligence in London PCTs Sylvia Godden Public Health Intelligence Specialist HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

NHS restructure – the implications for Public Health Intelligence HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

Summary of Public Health Intelligence role • Specialist knowledge of statistical and epidemiological methods and sources of information for interpreting and understanding data sets • Advanced analytical skills and interpretation of data, including statistical software, mapping and GIS systems • Educating, training and developing others in PHI • Communicating findings through variety of means • Sound knowledge of NHS structures and public health policy, practical experience of information governance • Knowledge usually acquired through higher degree • Public Health Analysts in London range from relatively junior through to Consultant level HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

What do we do? • Depends on where based. We are in London’s 31 PCTs, LHO/CSL, DH Regional Public Health Group and HPUs • In PCTs part of multi-disciplinary PH teams with remit to lead on intelligence and contribute to all team’s outputs • Major role in JSNA and Public Health Annual Report • We represent the PH ‘evidence base’ and organisational memory through maintenance of data sources over time • Part of successful networks (London and sector level) • Trademark, our willingness to share expertise and seek advice from peers in a culture of openness and trust • One of our strengths compared to a commercial service HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

Importance of retaining PH analytical function in London • Essential to retain the critical mass of Public Health analysts in London • Vital for the new GP consortia • Important to plan in good time how our function will be delivered in the new structure • Perceived risk of losing expert knowledge and experience • Associated costs to the NHS and taxpayer HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

Public Health Analysts Consultation Team (PHACT) • We established PHACT - the Public Health Analysts Consultation Team in October 2010 • Open invitation to Public Health Analysts to join this sub group of the London Public Health Network • Initially ten members and one chair • Two meetings but mostly communicate by email HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

Purpose • To ensure that the role of our professional group is not compromised by the NHS restructure • Our skills, knowledge, experience and breadth of work must be recognised and planned for • Anticipate that following NHS restructure PHI function will be needed everywhere - LAs, Health and Wellbeing Boards, GP consortia, Commissioning Board, Public Health England, at each geographical level, locally, London, national • Particularly important to support GP consortia to extend their focus to encompass the whole population • Will need the data and skills we currently bring to PCTs HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

Objectives To ensure that: • We retain the ability to monitor and measure the health outcomes for the population(s) we are responsible for • We preserve access to complete, good quality data • Information governance arrangements are adapted in good time to maintain access to information sources • All relevant organisations have access to our services • PHI remains core to multi-disciplinary PH teams • To preserve our formal and informal networks, essential for sharing good practice and training • To prevent fragmentation and loss of a highly specialised workforce which has matured over many years HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

What did we do? PHACT Actions • Introduced ourselves and our role to the London Public Health Transition Advisory Group (LPHTAG) • Provided terms of reference plus a summary of who we are, our role, skills, knowledge and experience • Went on to produce a briefing outlining key issues and where possible made recommendations • Sent briefing to LPHTAG, all London Ds. PH, Faculty • A principle of PHACT - to give all members of the network the opportunity to see/comment on outputs HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

Our main issues & recommendations Technical issues - the ‘tools’ of our job • New structures to take full account of need to measure population • Seek assurance of access to complete, good quality data at no extra cost • Need to evaluate governance arrangements to ensure access to the data sources we need HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

An Information Revolution • Direction of travel towards increasing the range of information providers • Raises questions about cost barriers related to commercial confidentiality in evaluating methods, sources and quality compared with current central data collections • Budget cuts – reductions in ONS outputs mean local analysts may have to produce themselves or buy in HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

Main issues & recommendations New organisational structures for Public Health • Public Health Intelligence should remain part of multidisciplinary public health teams • Our evidence must be available to GP consortia • Clarification of how we will work within Local Authorities • Should continue to be part of professional networks • Risk of analysts being lost before new structures established • Key tools and data sets from LHO/CSL should be maintained HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

Main issues & recommendations Capacity, career development & training • Main objective to ensure we retain PHI resource as per CMO letter August 2010 “it is essential that we do not lose Public Health expertise from the system” • Warned against replacing PHI posts with generic posts • Recommended continued use of JDs from the Public Health Career Framework • Recommended ensuring adequate and appropriate training and support for PHI HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

Scally report on regulation of Public Health Professionals Implications for Defined Specialists • Through the UKPHR, PHI specialists can gain formal recognition • But “the case for statutory regulation of defined specialists is not made” • Particularly impacts on Public Health analysts • Implications for posts across London • Purpose of regulation is to safeguard and protect the public from harm – applies to PHI HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011

PHACT Outcomes • Positive reply from London Public Health Transition Advisory Group welcoming our pro-active approach • Plans to establish PHI work stream with representation from us and our expertise utilised • Our briefing forwarded to Public Health England team • Responses submitted to ‘An Information Revolution’, Public Health White Paper and consultation on Public Health funding and commissioning routes • Links with work in other parts of the country, i. e. Greater Manchester Public Health Network • Considering next moves, e. g. could monitor and map the PHI function across London in the next financial year HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25 th March 2011