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.