News of Wales - Issue 1
October 2005
Chairman of the Welsh Committee for Public Health Medicine and Community Health – Dr Lika Nehaul – reports on activities
The constituencies for the Welsh Committee for Public Health Medicine and Community Health (WCPHMCH) include public health doctors working in the National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS), those employed in other NHS organisations, and community health doctors in child health and family planning.
Most of the issues of interest and concern to the craft have arisen within the NPHS. It was created in April, 2003. Two-and-a-half years on, the effects of a 10 per cent cut in budget, levied from the beginning, and the top slicing of another 3 per cent of its budget to support the implementation of the sexual health strategy in Wales (of which the service was not notified), are now being felt by staff. Difficulties in recruiting to consultant and specialist posts have not helped to alleviate the situation. The BMA will support the NPHS in trying to ensure it is adequately resourced to deliver services, as agreed with the Welsh Assembly Government.
The NPHS fully supports the Sexual Health Strategy and will do what is necessary to support its implementation.
Public Health Consultants have welcomed the amended consultant contract in Wales, and note the importance given to achieving a work / home life balance. They extend their thanks to the BMA negotiating team on the Forum Terms and Conditions Committee for their hard work on behalf of all consultants.
We would like to thank the former chief medical officer for Wales, Dr Ruth Hall, for her tireless work in helping to put public health high on the agenda of the Welsh Assembly Government, and wish her well in her new post. However, we are disappointed that no appointment was made to replace her in the first round of recruitment. We recognise the commitment by WAG to improve health services in Wales, but would emphasise this must not be at the expense of public health. We hope that the new CMO, when appointed, will give the same priority to public health as Dr Hall, as well as tackling the challenges posed in trying to improve health services.
The NPHS will have an important role in contributing to the implementation of Designed for Life. We look forward to working with our colleagues in other craft committees, the health service and WAG to help shape health services in Wales. It will also offer useful experience to our specialist trainees.
Finally, I would like to thank all members of the Welsh Committee for Public Health Medicine and Community Health for their contributions in the past year.