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

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

3. 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, 25th March 2011

4. 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, 25th March 2011

5. 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, 25th March 2011

6. 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
HSUG, Public Health Intelligence (PHI) – Preparing for the future, 25th March 2011

7. 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, 25th March 2011

8. 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, 25th March 2011

9. 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 DsPH, 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, 25th March 2011

10. 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, 25th March 2011

11. 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, 25th March 2011

12. Main issues & recommendations New organisational structures for Public Health
Public Health Intelligence should remain part of multi-disciplinary 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, 25th March 2011

13. 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, 25th March 2011

14. 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, 25th March 2011

15. 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, 25th March 2011