Knowsley Public Health Training Prospectus
KNOWSLEY PUBLIC HEALTH TRAINING PROSPECTUS
1.INTRODUCTION
This training location covers the Borough of Knowsley.
Knowsley has a resident population of approximately 146,000. It is situated just to the east of Liverpool, and is within easy reach of the rest of Merseyside, Cheshire, Manchester and the Lake District. Knowsley has a long history of innovative integrated working between the NHS and Local Authority and so was well placed for transfer into the Local Authority under the Health and Social Care Act. The placement will offer many opportunities for developing strategic approaches to improving health and wellbeing, and influencing policy around the wider determinants of health and addressing inequalities as well as providing valuable insights into working in a political environment.
Knowsley is an area of high deprivation, and has some of the poorest health indicators in the North West; however it also has a history of strong public and partnership collaboration. Through enabling community and voluntary networks, public health issues have a very high profile. Being a smaller borough allows us to focus on relationships with our partners, including our NHS partners.
2.STRUCTURE OF THE TRAINING LOCATION
Knowsley is approved by the Faculty of Public Health for 2Specialty Registrars.
All our new StRs or Foundation Doctors will be physically located within the wider public health team. This allows for support and opportunities to understand and be involved in the breadth of public health work in Knowsley.
Registrars are offered support throughout their placements with dedicated one-to-ones with their supervisor. They are highly respected parts of the team and are expected to participate fully in team meetings and events. Registrars are also encouraged to participate in internal and external sessions for preparation for their Faculty exams. Senior registrars will be offered leadership opportunities and are encouraged to support more junior registrars.
2.1Location
The Knowsley base is in the Council Office, MunicipalBuilding, Archway Road in Huyton. This is close to Huyton Town Centre. The railway station is 3 minutes walk away, and there are good bus links.
2.2Accredited Trainers / Educational Supervisors
- Dr Sarah McNulty, Consultant in Public Health is an accredited educational supervisor and training lead in Knowsley. Sarah went through the training scheme in Cheshire and Merseyside 2003 – 2008.
All registrars are supervised by the accredited trainer and supported by other key members of the Public Health Leadership teamto complete programmes of work and gain competencies. Key membersof thePublic Health Leadershipteam are listed below:-
- Matthew Ashton, Assistant Executive Director (Public Health and Wellbeing) / Director of Public Health
- Julie Tierney, Public Health Specialist (Headof Health Improvement and Public Health Commissioning)
- Richard Holford, Public Health Specialist
There is a good level of understanding amongst the team of the needs of registrars including learning outcomes and examination requirements.
3.INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LINKS
The Director of Public Health has a wide remit covering Culture, Leisure and Environmental Health in addition to Public Health. The Public Health Intelligence team are co-located with Policy and Partnerships (the corporate intelligence team), and therefore the public health team actively contribute to the development of corporate strategy. There are strong links to Knowsley CCG with a public health analyst providing a committed resource to them.
Knowsley is proactive in its collaboration across the City Region and Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Network. This provides many opportunities for trainees to develop working across a larger footprint.
4.ACADEMIC LINKS
There are good links with local Universities, including Liverpool University andLiverpool John Moores University.
Matthew Ashtonis currently the chair of CHAMPS, the Cheshire and Merseyside Collaborative Public Health Service, Lead DPH for intelligence across Cheshire & Merseyside, and honorary lecturer atLiverpool John Moores University.
- PARTICULAR INTERESTS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Within this training location there is a particular interest in the wider determinants of health and in using evidence-based methodologies to prevent ill-health. There are good opportunities to gain an understanding of partnership working, community engagement and involvement, and commissioning for health improvement. More senior registrars are able to take on leadership roles in particular areas.
- ORGANISATION OF TRAINING
The registrar agrees a work plan, based on the competencies the trainee needs to achieve. There are regular structured meetings between the registrar and educational supervisor, and the educational supervisor is also available to the registrar at other times if necessary. Regular stock-takes of the training and progress against the Public Health curriculum are undertaken, along with support to achieve Part A and Part B of theMembership Exams.
- EXAMPLES OF RECENT TRAINEES’ PROJECTS
- Development of an Accident Health Needs Assessment and strategy.
- Service specification development for obesity services, including cost/ budget analysis and consultation.
- Implementation of a Pathway of Care for Impaired Glucose Tolerance across Merseyside.
- Review of evidence around rapid reduction of HBA1C in diabetic retinopathy.
- Involvement in Individual Funding Request Panel.
- Bowel Cancer Screening Health Needs Assessment.
- WHAT REGISTRARS SAY ABOUT KNOWSLEY
“Knowsley is an innovative and lively training location brimming with opportunities for SpR’s at all stages, given under quality supervision.”
"The public health team inKnowsley are great fun and very welcoming of Registrars. I joined them inmy final year of training and am currently completing a review of their specialist obesity service and development of the service specification. It has been the perfect piece of work to sign off my remaining learning outcomes, and the team have been incredibly supportive throughout".
“Knowsley Council is a friendly and vibrant training location for SpRs. I joined the team on commence of St4. I was tasked with delivering a wider variety of work, all great for maintaining my technical skills, gaining strategic experiences and achieving ticking off many phase three learning outcomes. This included developing the unintentional injuries strategy/ portfolio and supporting various activities related to healthcare services, such as a review of lung cancer screening. I would recommend Knowsley to peers as an excellent training opportunity. My work at Knowsley has enhanced my training and portfolio, which has led me to closer working at the University of Liverpool and more recently supporting my application as a Research Fellow.”
“During my time at Knowsley I was supported to take the lead on a large project developing the local healthy lifestyle services. This provided me with excellent learning opportunities and met lots of competencies.”
“The public health team in Knowsley has strong local partnerships and takes an asset based approach. As a registrar I was involved with work related to the wider determinants of health and community engagement activities”.
“As a registrar based at Knowsley you are made to feel part of the public health team”.
- FACILITIES
The public health team and the Council take the health of their staff seriously.
All registrars have their own computer and phone, and are treated as a member of the public health team.
Car parking is available although charged at the local rate and therefore use of public transport is encouraged. Secure cycle stores are available.
- CLINICAL GOVERNANCE/CPD
The public health team provides opportunities for continuous professional development and learning. There are regular team meetings where time is set aside for clinical governance and learning. Senior registrars can be given the opportunity to organise learning events for the team.
- CONTACTS
Dr Sarah McNulty
Consultant in Public Health
Tel No:0151 443 4910
Email:
January 2016
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