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Towards a Commissioning Tool for Health PromotionRichard Shircore

for the Royal Society of Public Healthwww.healthpromotion.uk.com

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Background and Origin

1. Observation that the capacity and capability of Specialist Health Promotion was weak

2. That the rise of Commissioning would further sideline Health Promotion at a time when its importance is increasing.

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Summary of Emerging Issues: Professional

1. Professional Skills in Specialist Health Promotion (SHP) – lack of Commissioner appreciation of SHP professional skill

2. Language – SHP language not understood

3. Strategic or Tactical Application – of Health Promotion

4. Training and Competencies – no need for Providers to have Health Promotion qualifications

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Emerging Issues Organisational

1. Separation of Public Health Needs Assessments from Commissioning specification

2. Lack of Health Promotion recognition at Board level

3. Sense of isolation by Commissioners

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Other emerging issues

1. SHP or Social Marketing – none of the Commissioners related Social Marketing to Health Promotion

2. Policy Documentation – lack of reference to Public Health or Health Promotion.

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The Way Forward

1. Development of a Toolkit for Commissioners. Explaining how to use Health Promotion Specialists

2. Description of creating added value by SHP input

3. Discussions with NSMC about joint working to support the Commissioning function.