The Induction Programme which should be discussed early in training include:
a. The Public Health Function
Duties and location of each member of the team,
arrangements for meetings - formal and informal.
b. The Organisation
Management structure, names and locations of senior officers, structure and operational relationships within the PCT, types of business considered by the PCT, its sub-committees and related bodies, outline of main policies, summary of major projects and developments in hand.
c. Administrative arrangements
Responsibilities of general managers, administrative staff and other professional colleagues; procedures for handling enquiries, arranging meetings, and office working practices.
d. Services provided by the Department , locations and key personnel
Local provision of primary care, hospital services, clinic services, health education, screening programmes, immunisation and rehabilitation service.
e. Professional advisory structure
Organisation of professional advisory groups and relationships with each other, with General Managers etc.
f. Finance
Personnel connected with finance, current budget and budgeting arrangements; procedures for allocating resources.
g. Associated organisations
Location, personnel and liaison arrangements of various organisations, Community Health Council, Social Services Department, Education Department, Environmental Services Department, Housing Department, Universities and Colleges, voluntary organisations and the Health and Safety Executive.
h. Arrangements for postgraduate education
Public Health meetings, clinical meetings, journal clubs, libraries and study leave procedures.
Trainees will follow the new Faculty Curriculum ( www.fph.org.uk ) and their assessments formally documented through the ARCP process. Normally training is for the MPH period plus 4 years and exceptionally can be completed in 4 years.
Teaching and Research
All Public Health Specialists should be able to carry out disciplined investigations and to analyse and interpret data. These abilities are fundamental to all of their specialist work. They should also be competent in communication, in person-to-person and small group discussions, in talking to various types of audience, and in written presentations. These skills of communication and investigation are basic to teaching and research, and conversely experience in teaching and research will enhance and develop the skills. Therefore, these are important aspects of training for all Public Health Specialists
Main aspects of practice
i. Teaching about public health to undergraduate and postgraduate students and to other medical and non-medical professional groups; preparation of lectures; conduct of seminars; personal tutoring, the use of visual and other aids; display of educational material.
ii. Design of research projects; preparation of an application for a research grant; management of field work; organisation of data processing; writing of scientific reports and papers; presenting results to professional and lay audiences.