Learning and Development

This is the place to find what you need to:

• support your own personal development
• understand the developing career framework for public health and health improvement
• connect with others who are involved in events and training.

Developing Skills of the Public Health Workforce

During 2011, two supporting tools have been developed to support the planning and development of appropriate skills and competencies of the core public health workforce:

•  an outcomes framework for public health workforce development
•  a competency chart to support identification of appropriate staff development sources and resources.

An outline paper has been considered and the approach agreed by the Public Health Management Team, December 2011.

This approach has drawn on the earlier Framework for Workforce Development  and the 'gap analysis' previously undertaken across the PH system:

• Key drivers and challenges for work in the public health system have been identified and required skills defined.
• Gaps in skills of the public health workforce in Grampian have been explored.
• A process is in place to support applications for study towards formal qualification.
• An information and networking area has been developed on HI-Net for staff awareness of learning and development opportunities.
• Staff learning activity may be monitored.
• Appropriate opportunities for learning are actively sought and there is liaison with academic and education providers on appropriate course content.
• A series of local learning events runs each year, the gphis programme.
• The framework links to NHS Grampian Learning and Development Strategy and Policy.

Related areas of activity

• Skills for Health and the Public Health Resource Unit (now solutions for Health) have developed a Public Health Skills and Careers Framework.  There is an informative set of background material at: www.healthcareworkforce.nhs.uk/publichealth. The PHCAT tool allows assessment of elements of the competency framework.
• UK Public Health Register allows registration as a specialist in public health, and there is development of Practitioner Regulation.
• Workforce development in NHS Grampian Public Health links with the national Public Health Workforce Development group, and with learning activity of NHS Health Scotland, and NHS Education Scotland.
• Local training is provided through staff who are 'trained trainers' working with a number of packages and resources (see Local Training).
• Competency frameworks for some more specific areas of work exist, and the framework allows mapping in many cases.  Such frameworks include the CompHP ('Galway') competency framework for health promotion, the Health Behaviour Change Competency Framework, and others.

Public Health - Partial Support for Formal Qualification

In recent years, a process has been followed to award partial funding support for NHS staff who plan to study for a recognised course leading to a qualification relevant to their work in public health.

When active, the process will be announced through HI-Net and other NHSG public health mailing lists and newsletters.  Details of the process and paperwork may be found at the following links:

• Application for public health support for formal qualification: process and timing
• Application for public health support for formal qualification: application form and guidance
• Application for public health support for formal qualification: template for panel assessment

The application process for 2012 is now open - the deadline is 10th February 2012. 

Grampian Public Health Information Sessions

A series of informal Grampian Public Health Information Sessions (gphis) take place at a range of venues, normally at lunchtimes throughout the year.  These can be viewed at gphis section here on HI-Net.

Contact: Anne Whitcombe
tel: 01224 (5)58437, email: anne.whitcombe@nhs.net