Understanding Health ImprovementQualification
A nationally recognised Level 2 course introducing participants to factors influencing health and wellbeing and how to help people make lifestyle changes which improve their health
Who is it for?
The qualification is for existing or aspiring health champions and volunteers who wish to improve the health and wellbeing of people in their local community by motivating and encouraging them to make positive lifestyle choices. Community workers, health advisors, pharmacy assistants and anyone in the wider public health workforce will also benefit from this qualification.
Learning Outcomes
- Know how inequalities in health can develop and what the current policies are for addressing these
- Understand how effective communication can support health messages
- Know how to promote improvements in health and wellbeing to individuals
- Understand the impact of change on improving an individual’s health and wellbeing
Background
2008 – 2014 (DEC) /
2015/16 /
2016/17
NHS Bury
Delivered to community groups and partners free of charge.
Course delivered over2 days / Bury Council
Trainers transferred to the Social Development Team. Course delivered to council staff and partner agencies.
Course delivered over 1½ days / As 2015/16
Course delivered over1 day
Finance Provided By:
2008 – 2010 / 2015/16 / 2016/17
To support the role of Community Health Champions /
Social Development Unit
Started charging to cover cost of exam paper and work book /
As 2015/16
2011 – 2014 (DEC)
Income
2008 – 14 / 2015/16 / 2016/17
No income /
- £1140 – internal staff ... and partner agencies
- £100 – private business . attendee
*No charge made for 1 member of the SDU in this period / From April 2016
£30 per person for staff and£50for partner agencies to cover the cost of purchasing and external marking of exam papers and the course work book.
Total income £1020
Internal staff and partner agencies.
*No charge made for 7 members of the SDU and 9 members of the Health & Wellbeing Board in this period
Who Delivers the RSPH Course?
2008 – 14(Dec) / 2015/16 / 2016/17
Joanne Smith and Cath Coward, Health Improvement Officers, Public Health Team /
Joanne Smith and Cath Coward, Health Improvement Officers, Public Health Team / The course is now only delivered by Cath Coward,
Health & Wellbeing Development Officer
No. Of Courses Delivered
2008 – 14(Dec) / 2015/16 / 2016/17
23 courses
242 attendees
10.5 average attendance / 4 courses
40 attendees
10 average attendance / 5 courses – 25% increase
48 attendees – 20% increase
9.6 average attendance
Evaluation of Courses
2008 – 14(Dec) / 2015/16 / 2016/17
Standard RSPH evaluation sheet used throughout
97.5% pass rate achieved / Standard RSPH evaluation sheet used
100% pass
rate achieved
Members of the Health & Wellbeing Board who completed the course / Standard RSPH evaluation sheet used
100% pass
rate achieved
Impact of Change on running costs
2008 – 2014 / 2015/16 / 2016/17
Courses delivered by 2 tutors over 2 days and delivered free of charge = 4 days officer time + fees per course / Courses delivered by 2 tutors over 1½ days and fees introducedto cover the cost of exam fees and work books= 3 days officer time per course
25% saving on officer time and costs covered by fee / Courses delivered by 1 tutor over 1 day and fees increased forpartner agencies = 1 day officer time per course
75% saving on officer time and costs covered by fee
Quotes from Participants
Next Steps and Future Development
- Increase the number of courses delivered through Bury
- TrainNeighbourhood Engagement Coordinators (formerly Township Coordinators) to enable delivery within local neighbourhoods and to ensure continuity after the current trainer’s retirement in July 2018
- Six Town Housing Development workers to be trained to deliver the course and offer it as part of their ‘6 Steps to Success’ and staff training programme
- From April 2017 charges to increase to £50 for internal candidates and £75 for candidates from partner agencies
- From April 2017 all courses will be advertised by Organisational Development to internal staff and attendance registered on I TRENT
- Continue to promote the course, specifically targeting frontline staff who can signpost individuals and ‘Make Every Contact Count’