Public Health Network

The Public Health Network is an initiative to link people involved in public health work into a strong Network, to help us work together, develop our skills and use them to tackle real-life public health issues. The Network covers 5 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) areas - Bristol North, Bristol South & West, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset. 

Who is the network for?

The network is relevant to anyone involved in public health, health promotion or health improvement is welcome to join. Members may come from the NHS, local government, the voluntary sector or higher education.  

What work is undertaken on a Network basis?

Most of the public health and health promotion staff serving Avon's population within the NHS have been devolved to the five individual PCTs. A small part of the Public Health resource will serve all five PCTs. The reason for this is where certain tasks, or certain specific skills, are needed by all PCTs and can be most efficiently served from a single shared service. The services that are being provided across all the PCTs are

• Programme Support 
  Expert advice and support for maintaining cancer screening programmes, for supporting pan-PCT work in relation to specialist services, for dental public health etc. At present there are 3 days per week of Consultant in Public Health (Angela Raffle) and 2.5 days per week of Dental Public Health (John Boyles) available for programme support. Our work programme is set by the 5 PCTs through their Chief Executives, Directors of Public Health, and for Angela Raffle's work, through their cancer lead managers.

• Education, Training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 
  There is no public health resource, but all public health staff in the Network will continue to work together to ensure the right quality of training continues to be promoted for public health Specialist Registrars and trainee specialists.
  

How is the Network co-ordinated?

The 5 PCTs have formed a steering group which oversees the work of the staff working in Programme Support and the Knowledge Network Unit, and co-ordinates several Network Meetings, aimed at sharing current work and supporting members. Events include 

• Seminars: 
  These are open to anyone with an interest in the subject. 
  
  

• Public Health Network Open Meetings: 
  The Public Health Network Open Meetings aimed at sharing current work and issues of common interest. Anyone working in a Public Health team in a PCT is welcome to attend. 
  

• Director of Public Health Meetings: 
  Regular meetings are held between the Directors of Public Health of B&NES, Bristol North, Bristol South & West, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire PCTs.
  
  

• Health Promotion Meetings: 
  Regular meetings are held between the Health Promotion professionals of B&NES, Bristol North, Bristol South & West, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire PCTs.
  

• Health Protection Updates: 
  The Avon Health Protection Unit holds monthly education and update sessions relevant to anyone involved in health protection.

How do I join the Network?

To join the Network, please fill in the on-line form or email Carl Muldoon