Regional public health groups work across government departments with a number of community and voluntary groups, non-governmental bodies and other public sector organisations to raise awareness of public health issues.
More information on the national picture
Work currently underway includes:
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Capacity development – we are working closely with the new Primary Care Trusts and their appointed Directors of Public Health to ensure the development and maintenance of a specialist public health workforce. This is supported through 6 strands: a specialty multi disciplinary training programme run on behalf of the East of England Deanery; support through focussed 'top up', for senior public health specialists in application by portfolio to the UK Voluntary Register for public health specialists; support to newly appointed senior public health leaders in their new joint appointments with local councils; consideration of the best and most appropriate spectrum of public health workforce for the region supported by clear standards; development of a suite of public health skills courses for the wider health care workforce and staff in other government departments and local authorities; establishment of a network of academic departments of public health including the particular development of a teaching network.
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Public Health intelligence – in conjunction with the Eastern Region Public Health Observatory we are working to establish a regional public health intelligence strategy. The strategy will cover easy access to public health information, expert analysis and advice functions, enhanced early warning alerts to new public health problems and support for local action to improve health and reduce health inequalities. We are linking this to work undertaken by the Government Office for the East of England GIS Unit.
We support the development of quality healthcare by:
- Commissioning work to track and monitor the incidence of cancer from the Eastern Cancer Registry Information Service.
- Ensuring quality assurance of screening programmes, working closely with strategic health authorities.
