Workshop: Building HIA Capacity in England: practical experiences and considerations for the future. Experience of the North East region Balsam Ahmad (Newcastle University) David Chappel (North East Public Health Observatory)

2 Outline of the presentation Baseline assessment approaches and key findings. Strategy development  Needs assessment  Education and training  Organisational development systems, structure and tools for HIA  HIA support

3 Background The North East Public Health Observatory (NEPHO) commissioned the public health research group at the University of Newcastle to map HIA capacity and capability in the North East Region and outline a strategy for future development to meet present and future needs (August-December 2005).

4 Methods semi-structured in-depth interviews with 21 key informants in the region and nationally. Two sampling methods (purposive sampling and “snowballing”. questionnaires

5 Mapping the current capacity and capability in HIA Very limited HIA activity in research and teaching. A core group of individuals at different levels (PCTs, LA) who have received HIA training. Limited but increasing hands-on experience in HIA. Only one post created with TORs on HIA in Durham County Council (Policy Officer, Health Improvement).

6 Strategy development Based on the outcomes from the needs assessment which builds on the following:  views of key informants in the region.  views and experiences of informants nationally.  Our analysis of the context of HIA implementation in the region and any national trends in HIA practice.

7 Obtain views of individuals undertaking HIA as to what support they would like Networks/support when planning an HIA Training (action learning, widening the training base, train-the-trainers; tie the training with screening or appraisal of strategies) Strategic leadership (leading organisation)

8 Obtain views of individuals undertaking HIA as to what support they would like Free or cheap local events (such as conferences and training) Research on HIA and other tools available to public health practitioners. High level of support for champions

9 Obtain views of organisations as to what they expect of HIA Relevance and local ownership “if HIA is to be developed within local authorities then it has to come through the structures of local authority”.

10 Obtain views of organisations as to what they expect of HIA Uncertainty “from an organisation point of view its time, commitments and priority at the moment of course with PCTs not all knowing where they are going to be in the future there is a whole kind of sway of organisation change that ……may or may not get in the way of that”.

11 Obtain views of organisations as to what they expect of HIA Partnerships “but in terms of HIA I need a strength of support from the PCT so I need people to be at the table to challenge it and address some of these things from a health angle. I can sell the organisational concept but it needs to be sold also through a health position so I need support for that”

12 Obtain views of organisations as to what they expect of HIA Integration “I think that’s ok as far as it’s goes, I think the next challenge will be thinking about how we can integrate it more effectively and as I say that feedback from the health impact exercise you know you have got the planning …. going down there one channel, you have got the health impact assessment going down the other channel but ……….. you know it’s about bringing the two, how do we bring the two together?”

13 Strategy development Driving principles  Ensuring local ownership  Integration of HIA with other existing tools and structures

14 Strategy development Education and training  Develop a national training strategy (commissioning training, basic training).  Research and academic training in HIA

15 Strategy development Organisational support  Developing networks of local HIA practioners and professionals  Local web based support  Regional resource and leadership to support HIA

16 Suggested points for discussion & learning  Should every region deliver advanced training in HIA or should regions with no advanced training in HIA rely on already existing courses delivered in some regions?  Is there a national training strategy for HIA?  How much should we in the North East invest in creating web based support? Should we just link with others already doing that?  Learn from other regions about their experiences in establishing a leadership post in HIA (especially funding).

Thank you Questions and discussion