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Faculty of Public Health
Career Profiles A collection of career profiles from a range of public health specialists
Complied by Specialty Registrar Committee of the Faculty of Public Health December 2013
1
Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Gabriel Scally ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Susy Stirling ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Mark Strong .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Susan Elden ................................................................................................................................................... 6
Andrew Lee ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Kev Smith ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Hannah Jordan .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Rowena Clayton .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Paula Whitty ................................................................................................................................................ 11
Mike Sandys ................................................................................................................................................ 12
Maggie Rae .................................................................................................................................................. 13
Fiona Reynolds ............................................................................................................................................ 14
Angela Raffle ............................................................................................................................................... 15
Sally Pearson ............................................................................................................................................... 16
Ian Bowns .................................................................................................................................................... 17
Claire Sullivan .............................................................................................................................................. 18
Arpana Verma ............................................................................................................................................. 19
Mike Lavender............................................................................................................................................. 20
William Welfare .......................................................................................................................................... 21
Sakthi Karunanithi ....................................................................................................................................... 22
Gary Cook .................................................................................................................................................... 23
Peter Bradley ............................................................................................................................................... 24
Max Bachmann ........................................................................................................................................... 25
Gina Radford ............................................................................................................................................... 26
Rosie Frankenberg ...................................................................................................................................... 27
Ian Harvey ................................................................................................................................................... 28
David Pencheon .......................................................................................................................................... 29
Sultan Salimee ............................................................................................................................................. 30
Liz Ollerhead ............................................................................................................................................... 31
Peter Davidson ............................................................................................................................................ 32
Jo Nurse ....................................................................................................................................................... 33
2
Introduction Individuals who train as Specialty Registrars in Public Health bring a wealth of diversity of skill and
interest to the discipline. Concurrently, there is a wide variety of career prospects available, with
Consultants in Public Health practicing in many different organisations and settings, nationally and
internationally.
Workforce development and planning was one of the priority workstreams for the Specialty Registrar
Committee (SRC) of the Faculty of Public Health, for 2012/13. As part of that workstream, a short
questionnaire was developed, and circulated by SRC representatives in all regions. Questionnaires were
targeted at individuals who were identified as having trained, having worked, or currently working in a
setting that is slightly unusual. Questionnaires were completed between June 2013 and September
2013.
This document has been produced to try and capture a small selection of career stories, from a range of
practicing public health specialists. We appreciate there are many other wonderful individuals out there
with stories to tell, and hope that this will inspire you to connect and share with the consultants of the
future.
We present a career profile ‘on a page’ and give an overview of the experiences gained by these
individuals. It is intended to be a reference for Speciality Registrars and those interested in specialist
training in public health, to inspire; inform; connect; and provide a wider perspective on specialist public
health careers. If you are inspired by these stories, we would encourage you to make contact with the
Public Health Consultant, they would all be happy to share their wisdom and expertise with you.
Jennifer Connolly, on behalf of the Specialty Registrar Committee, March 2013.
3
Gabriel Scally
Current role: Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments, University of
the West of England
Time in role: 1 year
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 1986
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
As a student I was deeply involved in student politics and was for two years a vice-president of the
Union of Students in Ireland. As well as involvement in the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland I
undertook solidarity activities in Angola during the Civil War and in post-coup Chile. After medical school
I trained in general practice and then went into public health. I did the MSc at the London School of
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I became a consultant in community medicine in 1986 and was
appointed Chief Administrative Medical Officer of a Northern Ireland health board in 1989. In 1993 I
became a Regional Director of Public Health in England and quit that role in 2012.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
The training locations were relatively unimportant. The two things that mattered were working with
some brilliant public health physicians and visiting some of the best thinkers in the field. For example, as
a trainee and a young consultant I visited Muir Gray in Oxford on a number of occasions.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Firstly, work with the best and most inspiring public health leaders that you can. Secondly, be
challenging and critical of what you feel to be deficient in public health policy and practice, but make
sure that you have a constructive alternative and that you will be able to put energy into making that
alternative a reality.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. A passion for improving the health of the worst off
2. A track record of achieving change
3. Top grade communication skills
4
Susy Stirling
Current role: Associate Postgraduate Dean, Training Programme Director for Public Health, Coaching
Lead; Health Education Yorks and Humber
Time in role: variable: APD since 2013, TPD since 2010, Coaching since 2012
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2009
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Medical jobs in UK
Worked in rural South Africa (did number of specialities), became interested in public health -
health inequalities/poverty/socio-political factors eg migration for work led to clear impact on
health of population
MSc in Maternal and Child Health (UCL)
Public health training (MPH)
2 year post as Migrant Health Lead for region (secondment as senior trainee - then new post
created - uncertain funding - loss of funding after HSCB changes)
Trained in NLP/MBTI/360 appraisal/and as coach/mentor - developed interest in organisational
development. Wrote business case for coaching in Yorkshire and Humber Deanery - coaching
scheme now established.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
South Africa in early career
MSc at UCL (excellent teaching on management and org development)
Training Programme Director post (lots of support/opportunity to develop self from Head of
School)
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Don't worry if you feel a round peg in a square hole and don't see yourself fitting into 'conventional'
public health roles. The skill set you develop in training is fantastically valuable and applicable to a huge
range of appointments inside and out of the NHS/Local Authority/healthcare. Put yourself forward for
opportunities in training - you never know where they might lead - and be prepared to take the initiative
and develop the role.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would
you look for?
1. Emotional intelligence
2. Innovation
3. Enthusiasm
5
Mark Strong
Current role: Clinical Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Deputy Director of Public Health Section.
ScHARR. University of Sheffield. Honorary consultant in local NHS trust and in PHE.
Time in role: 12 months
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2012
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Chemistry degree
Care assistant for 4 years
Swimming pool lifeguard for 1 year
Medical school for 5 years.
House officer 1 year, then SHO paediatrics for 2 years.
Public health training in NHS 18 months.
Public health training NHS / University 18 months.
OOPR MRC fellowship 4 years - this included MSc in statistics and PhD in health economics /
statistics.
Back on public health scheme for 18 months - FT at university during this time.
NIHR post doc fellowship started on day of CCT
Current research is focussed on health economics / mathematical modelling / statistics.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
ScHARR at the University of Sheffield is a very supportive environment. My MRC fellowship allowed me
to do a PhD (can't progress in academia without one). Opportunity to do an MSc in statistics changed my
career direction.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Get an academic placement. Find something you enjoy studying and thinking about. Be committed to
your career (but not at the cost of the rest of your life!). Progression in academia requires hard work and
persistence.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Academic ability
2. Determination
1. Ability to write succinctly and coherently
6
Susan Elden
Current role: Department for International Development Health adviser
Time in role: 3 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Non-medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2010
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Trained as a nurse, completed MPH and then worked in the NHS as a middle manager in a public health
unit, joined the training scheme and benefited from the Swaziland placement and a placement at DFID
which stimulated my interest in health development.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
DFID National Treasure post and the Swaziland placement were transformational in helping identify my
interest and passion in international public health.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Get your Part A out of the way and then think about what really drives you. Find your mentors and role
models and get a wide range of experiences. Enjoy the broad and varied experiences as a trainee, and
then use it to follow your passion.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Experience in development
2. Public health competencies
3. Ability to work cross-cutting with range of other specialist in governance, economists, social
development
7
Andrew Lee
Current role: CCDC, PHE
Time in role: Since December 2012
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2011
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
House jobs in Edinburgh, then paediatric training scheme for 2 1/2 years in the North Trent area.
Did tropical medicine diploma at Liverpool then went out to work in Afghanistan with a
humanitarian aid agency for 6 months where I discovered my interest in public health.
Returned to the UK, worked briefly as a paediatric intensive care registrar before getting on to
Public Health training scheme in London-Kent/Sussex/Surrey.
Stopped training midway through to complete GP training in Sheffield before returning to public
health as a part time academic (lecturer at ScHARR) and registrar at NHS Rotherham.
Did Public health placements at Kent HPU, South Yorkshire HPU, Dartford/Gravesham/Swanley
PCT, Rotherham PCT, as well as a brief research project in Pakistan via the Nuffield Centre for
International Health & Development.
Acted up at Bradford & Airedale PCT.
After training, continued as a senior tutor at ScHARR as well as part time Consultant in Public
Health in Nottingham City covering Long Term Conditions, HIV and specialized commissioning.
In between times have been out and abroad doing needs assessments and evaluations in Sri
Lanka post tsunami, and Zimbabwe post-cholera epidemic, as well as delivering patient
safety/quality training for the Ministry of Health in the Maldives.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Crucial career (and life!) changing opportunity for me was to overcome my
doubts/fears/anxieties/insecurities and taking the plunge to work with a humanitarian aid agency in a
pretty dodgy part of the world. What an adventure and it sparked my interest in public health.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Do it if the shoe fits.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Calm under pressure
2. Rational/logical
3. Being prepared to say "I don't know, but I'll find out"
8
Kev Smith
Current role: Consultant in Public Health Specialised Commissioning. Public Health England
Time in role: Since April 2013 (but have been in Specialised Commissioning since August 2007)
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2005
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
1990-95 Sheffield University Medical School 1995-96 Hull Royal Infirmary House jobs 1996-1999 SHO
posts in Royal Hallamshire and Northern General Hospitals in Sheffield 1999 SHO post in Public Health
Medicine - Sheffield Health Authority 2000-2005 SpR in Public Health Medicine (Trent Deanery) 2000
SpR South Humber HA 2000-2002 SpR Barnsley HA 2002-2003 SpR Sheffield West PCT 2003-2004 Clinical
Lecturer ScHARR and Honorary SpR Sheffield South West PCT 2005 Locum Consultant PHM South
Yorkshire SHA 2005-2006 Public Health Medical Advisor South Yorkshire SHA 2006-07 Acting Deputy
Regional Director of Public Health, Yorkshire and the Humber SHA 2007-2013 Medical Advisor (CPHM)
Yorkshire and the Humber SCG (based at Barnsley PCT) 2009-12 Seconded to Department of Health
Screening and Specialised Services Branch - Medical Advisor 2012 Seconded to NHS Commissioning
Board Authority Medical Advisor (Specialised Services) Transferred to PHE April 2013
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
My SHO post allowed me to get a taste of every aspect of PH, working with 5 consultants including the
DPH, CCDC, Nurse Consultant and Senior Specialists in Community Development. I got to do loads of
public health without the burden of an MPH or exams. Working with a variety of consultants ment I got
to see all aspects of the job and prepared me for the SpR role. Working at ScHARR allowed me to
explore the hard edge of healthcare commissioning- economic evaluations and reviews- while also
working in a NHS base.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Get the basic training out of the way first- you need to understand the job and the technical side of PH
first before trying to explore specialisms and sub-specialisms. Get a varied experience in the middle of
training- pick up projects and work from all the senior staff in your organisation to get some breadth in
the work you do. Then take every opportunity to get out of the office and see how the real NHS and care
system works- sit in a clinic, a theatre, a boardroom, a court- whatever it takes and ask lots of questions!
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. A first rate understanding of the science of public health
2. Exceptional communication skills- including negotiation, influencing, explaining
3. A passion for improving health and health services
9
Hannah Jordan
Current role: Lecturer in Public Health
Time in role: 12 months
Background (medic/non-medic): Non-medic
Completed the training scheme in: Did not complete the training scheme
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
1st degree: BSc Geography (Sheffield). Worked for an Environmental Consultancy in Cheshire handling
large data sets and maps. Moved to a health services research post in the Faculty of Medicine,
University of Southampton, on the strength of a good interview and data handling skills. Enjoyed
research work and was supported through an MSc in Epidemiology (LSHTM,1999) then won an NHS
Fellowship to do a PhD (Soton, 2005) while working as a researcher. Moved to Sheffield in 2004 and
networked to get an honorary research contract here, completing the PhD from ScHARR.
Applied for and was accepted onto the Yorkshire and Humber Public Health training scheme in 2005.
Passed part A and B, then chose to take a specialist placement at ScHARR, as I realised that my interests
and aptitudes lay in research and teaching. Part way through the placement I applied for an advertised
lecturer job and was successful.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
ScHARR - I had a long held ambition to work here when I was a researcher (before the training scheme).
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Come on a placement and make contact with the people here. Publish whenever the opportunity arises
in your training. Do a PhD if you haven't already got one.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Great communication skills - spoken and written
2. Self-motivation
3. Curiosity and enthusiasm for your subject area
10
Rowena Clayton
Current role: Deputy Director - Workforce
Time in role: 9 months
Background (medic/non-medic): Non-medic
Completed the training scheme in: Generalist portfolio 2007
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
BSc in Genetics then worked for Medical Research Council. Became interested in using science for
more tangible social end s and moved into occupational health and safety where I did a lot of work on
occupational cancer. Taught home and overseas Health and Safety Inspectors at Aston University.
Went to Nicaragua as a Health and Safety Advisor to the Ministry of Labour. Then joined the NHS on
return to UK, working in HIV prevention then moving to other public health roles.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
The overseas experience was humbling; how important is prevention, how creative people can be on
how few resources, and how much could be done with more.
Working with Workplace Safety Representatives; both understanding power relations in workplaces and
being challenged to make science understandable to non-scientists.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Get a lot of experience of public health in practice, get out and meet people.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Strategic thinker with understanding of implementation
2. Good communicator and negotiator, with enquiring mind and ability to listen.
3. Good collaborator; PH is a multi-disciplinary and agency activity,
11
Paula Whitty
Current role: Director of Research, Innovation and Clinical Effectiveness. NTW NHS FT
Time in role: 2 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 1995
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Consultant in Public Health Medicine in health authority; Consultant/Senior Lecturer Medical Care
Epidemiology in a Trust, leading to Director of Clinical Governance in Trust. Also achieved MD during this
role via university part of post. National roles, SHA roles on secondment from Trust, then returned to
Trust and successfully applied for current role.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Yes (a) 3 month attachment at the (then) Freeman Hospital as an SR and (b) undertaking MD research as
a SR at Newcastle University (both of these self-organised).
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Be self-directed: decide what you want to do; contact people in organisations of interest and ask if they
have opportunities; ask the training programme how they can help you undertake these opportunities.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Self-starter, dynamic, committed
2. Top-notch communication/people influencing skills
3. Excellence/confidence in applying their epidemiology
12
Mike Sandys
Current role: Assistant Director of Public Health - Leicestershire County Council
Time in role: 3 years (with a further 5 years as consultant in public health previously)
Background (medic/non-medic): Non-medic
Completed the training scheme in: I took the portfolio route to accreditation by the UK PHR, being
accepted onto the register in April 2008.
Contact for further advice: [email protected] or tel: 0116 305 4239
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
I started life as an NHS financial management trainee, switching to public health in 1992. I started in
public health as an analyst/public health researcher working up through various intelligence and public
health manager positions before being appointed to a consultant level job at the time of portfolio
accreditation.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Not really applicable due to not having trained in the usual way, but my time as a public health manager
in Salford gave me exposure to all the domains of public health and was highly valuable.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
To recognise that we are never too far away from a re-organisation to try and keep your interests broad
throughout training and keep your options open.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Relationship builder
2. Able to be the authoritative voice of public health in an understandable manner
3. Sound technical skills
13
Maggie Rae
Current role: Corporate Director, holding the Director of Public Health statutory function and Director of
Adult Social Care statutory function at Wiltshire Council.
Time in role: 12 months
Background (medic/non-medic): Non-medic
Completed the training scheme in: I completed my Masters in Public Health in 2003 and was part of the
team that led the multidisciplinary health movement. I was registered with the UKPHR in October 2006.
I did not complete the training scheme route.
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
2013 - current: Corporate Director with responsibility for services delivering Adult Social Care
and Public Health, Wiltshire Council
2007 - 2013: Director of Public Health and Public Protection for Wiltshire
2005 - 2007: Head of Health Local Delivery and Health Inequalities, Department of Health
2002 - 2007: UK Representative on the European Expert Working Group on Health Inequalities.
Director for Public Health Education and Training, South West Region.
2003 - 2005: Associate Director of NICE
2000 - 2003: Acting Director of Regions and Regional Associate Director of the Health
Development Agency, South West Region
1992 - 2000 Deputy and Acting Director of Public Health/Director of Commissioning - North &
West Wiltshire, Wiltshire Health Authority
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
As I am very passionate about Public Health I have enjoyed all my roles. I would encourage registrars to
try local, regional and national jobs as they can all bring exciting opportunities to improving the public's
health and reducing health inequalities.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
I would encourage registrars to get as much experience and training as possible, as well as good
technical public health skills. Leadership, management, project management and financial skills are also
important.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Leadership
2. Vision
3. Passion for Public Health
14
Fiona Reynolds
Current role: Consultant in Public Health, Salford City Council
Time in role: 4 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Non-medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2009
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
BA Hons Journalism 1995-1998
Students' Union Women's Officer 1998-1999
MA Health Promotion 1999-2001
Senior Health Promotion Specialist 2000-2002
Teenage Health Coordinator 2002-2004
NW Public Health Training Scheme 2004-2009
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
I used my time on the training scheme to ensure I had experienced working in a variety of different
locations in order to get as broad an experience of Public Health as possible - an extra six month
placement at the HPA to build on my knowledge of communicable disease and threats to health, a week
with an environmental health team, a one year academic placement with one day a week working in an
acute trust. This combined with placements in PCTs where I was given a wide variety of roles gave me a
very well-rounded experience.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Public Health offers many opportunities and you need to make the most of them - in all of the settings
and on all of the programmes they may pop up in. Don’t be a wallflower. Local authority working
provides some excellent opportunities to really make a difference to your community’s health. Get
involved!
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Strategic thinker with attention to detail
2. Diplomatic but not afraid to say what they think
3. Approachable with a robust sense of humour
15
Angela Raffle
Current role: Consultant in Public Health (Sustainability and Wider Determinants) Bristol City Council
Time in role: Since January 2010 in the role, since April 2013 as BCC employee
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: MFPH 1989
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Junior hospital jobs A&E, care of elderly, psychiatry.
Then worked in Africa in small hospital in Transvaaal, then did inter-regional training scheme.
Came to Bristol 1984, given responsibility for cervical screening.
Consultant in 1990, national work on screening but still as local consultant and in conjunction
with lots of general work in Bristol
In 1994 took on cancer role with Calman Hine report published, helped set up our cancer
network.
2006 started to pursue environmental stuff in work setting
2010 switched to new role as partner to Bristol City Council
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Not really.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Always think about the systemic causes of the issues you are dealing with, work out how and where you
can start to influence things, don’t waste time lamenting the fact that the world is messy and to some
seems 'irrational' - what’s irrational? That just means you've failed to grasp the invisible influences.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Commitment to health sustainability and fairness
2. Skilful in achieving change within human systems
3. Personal strength and resilience
16
Sally Pearson
Current role: Director of Clinical Strategy, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT
Time in role: 11 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 1989
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
General medical training programme, Leeds 1985.
Public health training programme, Yorkshire 1987.
Consultant in public health medicine, Wakefield Health Authority 1992.
Director of Public Health, Gloucestershire Health Authority 1993.
Director of Clinical Strategy Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS FT 2002.
I have also worked as an adviser to the National Clinical Assessment Service since 2002.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Being the DPH at a time of significant reconfiguration, enabled me to have a key role in the merger of 2
organisations and allowed me to successfully apply for a post in the new organisation. As a DPH my
passion had always been the commissioning of acute health services
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Gain some experience of public health in an acute setting to meet phase 3 learning outcomes. Many
trusts now have public health specialists within them and those that do not may welcome placements
with project supervision provided by a number of roles
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Health services epidemiology
2. Critical appraisal skills
3. Ability to challenge and facilitate senior clinicians
17
Ian Bowns
Current role: Director
Time in role: 3 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 1986/7
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
After a short period in hospital medicine, I entered public health training early. Since completing
training, I have been an NHS consultant (at SHA/HA and PCT levels), DPH (HA & PCT), academic
(ScHARR), management consultancy (Tribal Group), currently running my own independent consultancy.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Acting a Temporary Advisor to the WHO European Office.
Studying health economics.
Working commercially.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
If it suits you, nothing better. Independence, variety, flexibility.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Self-confidence/reliance
2. Tolerant of risk
3. Adaptability
18
Claire Sullivan
Current role: Consultant in Public Health
Time in role: I have been a consultant (registered) since 2006
Background (medic/non-medic): Non-medic
Completed the training scheme in: Did not complete the training scheme route, submitted through the
portfolio route
Contact for further advice: 03000 267679
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Community Development Worker - Voluntary Sector
NHS Leadership Programme- Management Trainee
Public Health- PCGs/PCTs/SHA
Deputy Director- Easington PCT
Consultant - County Durham PCT/LA.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Working with inspirational public health leaders throughout my career. SHA was interesting but a bit
detached from operational public health practice.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
It can be fast and furious, reactive and proactive. Unlike the training scheme you are juggling so many
pieces of work and information on a range of topics simultaneously. Need to accept that sometimes just
good enough is enough.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Need to be pragmatic
2. Engagement/excellent communication skills
3. Good political skills
19
Arpana Verma
Current role: Senior Lecturer and Hon. Consultant in PH
Time in role: 4 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2009
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
8 years as hospital based respiratory doctor, then the Public Health training scheme. During my time in
acute trusts, I undertook various research projects (one of which resulted in my PhD) and also teaching.
The population based approach for developing research questions interested me more and more. Health
protection, prevention of disease and healthcare management became fundamental to my clinical
practice the more senior I became and I found I wanted to learn more. Academic Public Health
encapsulated everything I was interested in as a clinician and I am never bored!
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Clinical Lecturer post at University of Manchester under Prof Dick Heller and then Prof Sarah O'Brien. I
was able to learn epidemiological paradigms, leadership, management, teaching and gain all my
competencies. But, this is all down to Dr Lisa Davies who was fantastic at teaching public health skills
and then pointing me in the right direction.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Take time out of training scheme to gain financial support to do a full time PhD and write peer reviewed
papers. Have mentors in the field you are interested in who can help and advise you. Whatever anyone
says, you can never have too many mentors. I have a lot I owe to my mentors, especially my trainers,
Prof Iain Buchan and Prof Simon Capewell.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. PhD in a public health related field
2. Good publications
3. Teaching skills
20
Mike Lavender
Current role: Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Durham County Council
Time in role: Since April 2013 after the transfer from NHS County Durham where I worked for 3 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 1995
Contact for further advice: 07775019639
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Junior doctor in different specialties GP training scheme International Health in Nepal PH training
Consultant and DPH International Health in Nepal Current role
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Save the Children Fund in Nepal
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Get as broad experience as possible As well as achieving training competencies, gain experience in
developing, implementing and maintaining services/programmes.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Consultant level experience in managing a programme
2. Evidence of applied epidemiology
3. Good understanding of health economics and decision making
21
William Welfare
Current role: CCDC, PHE
Time in role: 2 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2010
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Senior House Officer Rotation in General Medicine (2 years)
Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases (1 year)
Public Health training with focus on Health Protection
Fixed Term appointment as CCDC in West Midlands (1 year)
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Two year Health Protection Placement including placements with Greater Manchester Health Protection
Unit, Centre for Infections and Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards
Placement at Good Shepherd Hospital, Swaziland
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Initially focus on developing your generic public health skills and getting through the exams. There is
then the opportunity to explore the huge field of Public Health, and then create the foundations for your
life in public health.
The training scheme is full of amazing opportunities – take (some of) them!
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would
you look for?
1. Technical knowledge
2. Practical problem solving
3. Team working
22
Sakthi Karunanithi
Current role: Director of Public Health, Lancashire County Council
Time in role: Since November 2013
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2011
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Started in India, worked as a tea plantation general medical officer, MD (Community Health
Administration), National training programme, secondment to WHO.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
NHS North West, Advancing Quality Alliance, NICE Scholar, Chair of regional and national PH StRs group,
Emerging Clinical Leaders Network, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (USA) Triple Aim programme
in end of life care, NHS Vanguard Programme by NHS Institute of Innovation and Improvement, NHS NW
Leadership Academy emerging leaders programme
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Seek out for opportunities - create your own if you can Build your networks Stick to your passion
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Self starter but also delivers
2. Trustworthy
3. Networks and relationships
23
Gary Cook
Current role: Consultant Epidemiologist Stockport NHS FT and Secondary Care Non Executive Member
of Wigan Borough CCG
Time in role: 17 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 1985
Contact for further advice: 0161 419 5984
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
HO, SHO paediatrics, general medicine and medical registrar over 5 years became interested in medical
management.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Bristol University Community Medicine. My last Job in hospital medicine I recognised doctors have a role
in medical management. I chose PH to pursue career that would involve me in medical management,
clinical outcomes, and safety and quality. The PH training in Oxford Region with strong clinical
epidemiology and management bias afforded me knowledge and some skills. My Consultant in PH role
at West Berkshire HA from 1985-1988 involved managing PH information, the implementation of
Hospital PAS. I led audits in aspects cervical cytology screening in particular that resulted in change in
clinical practice of laboratory histopathology consultants. I then moved to the North West Region with
responsibilities for health protection, vaccination and immunisation monitoring, cervical screening, PH
Information, and Clinical Information also took on role for clinical complaints investigation for
unresolved district complaints and independent professional review. Caught in NHS reorganisation,
obtained a law degree, and took an opportunity to work in a local DGH. I have since then organised and
run a clinical effectiveness unit led on research and development and played an integral role in raising
clinical awareness and involvement around quality, patient safety and health improvement.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Keep an eye out for opportunities and take the plunge. Engineer project opportunities to demonstrate
value and sell yourself. Want to work with clinicians.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
1. Wants to improve quality and safety as well as address health inequalities;
2. Ability to mix it with clinicians of all shades and influence change in practice;
3. Good with numbers and understands clinical practice.
24
Peter Bradley
Current role: Director of Public Health Development, Public Health Wales
Honorary Professor in Universities of Cardiff and Swansea
Time in role: 2 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 1999
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Pre-Registration House Officer (88-89), GP training scheme (89-92), completed MA in Healthcare Ethics
at the University of Leeds (95), Public Health training scheme (95-99), Senor Medical Advisor /
Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the Norwegian Institute for Public Health in Oslo, Senior Medical
Advisor and Acting Head of Norwegian Medicines Agency (03-04), DPH of West Suffolk PCT (04-06) and
Suffolk PCT and County Council (06-11)
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
My final trainee assignment was to build on international teaching collaboration on critical
appraisal. I made some mistakes with some high profile people; lessons I have never forgotten!
I also had an excellent trainer Alison Hill.
Norway in its entirety was a fantastic learning experience; working at (inter)national level in a
different system. It made me realise some of the “givens” of public health were not given at all
and alternative ways to do things exist.
The County Council aspect of my DPH post in Suffolk was very important to learn about political
processes and how to influence multi-sector decision-making.
Working in Wales is an amazing post. Having responsibility for such a broad range of areas and
in a further public health system which has such solid political support has made me realise
(finally) what leadership is all about.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Think about leadership, not just technical expertise. Work in different places and get exposure to
different situations, but try to prepare yourself so you are doing the job well. Your reputation matters.
Be prepared to learn and do things differently.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
Ability to motivate, engage and listen to the views of wide ranges of people.
Ability to lead, influence and deal with highly charged political situations.
Demonstrate a deep-seated belief that public health matters and communicate that with
passion.
25
Max Bachmann
Current role: Professor of Health Services Research, Head of Department of Population Health and
Primary Care, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia
Time in role: 13 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 1996
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
I am an academic public health physician. I have worked in 4 medical schools, in the UK (Bristol, UEA) and South Africa (Cape Town, Free State), doing epidemiological then health services research, and teaching medical and postgraduate research students. I started with occupational health consulting for South African trade unions, which led to epidemiology, health services research, and public health specialist training in South Africa and England.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Industrial Health Research Group, University of Cape Town. I gained experience in occupational
epidemiology and occupational health consulting for trade unions while doing a postgraduate
Diploma in Occupational Health.
Community Health Dept, University of Cape Town Medical School. As a public health registrar I
gained experience in occupational epidemiology, health services research, under-and postgraduate
teaching, and management of primary care and hospitals. I took a year out to do the MSc Public
Health Medicine at LSHTM.
Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol Medical School and Avon Health Authority. As a
lecturer/registrar I did a PhD and gained experience in service public health, health services
research, and undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Seek early opportunities to do research and to teach in every job.
Keep links with clinical medicine and service public health.
Expect criticism, learn from it, and channel it into self- motivation and improvement.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
Strong research record, including publications, grants and research leadership
Evidence of enthusiasm for teaching, training and mentoring
Willingness to collaborate and co-operate with dissimilar people and organisations
26
Gina Radford
Current role: Centre Director, Anglia and Essex Centre, Public Health England
Time in role: 7 months
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: a long time ago
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
As with most colleagues, my career “path” has not been a straight one, with lots of interesting twists
and turns along the way. I’m not sure there are many straight career paths in public health, which is
what makes it so interesting. I trained in Medicine at the Royal Free London, and then did a GP
vocational training scheme. I loved meeting patients, but knew I wanted to focus more on preventing
people from getting ill, than treating them. I confess I also found the idea of doing the same job in the
same place for the rest of my career not to be for me. So I talked to various people and decided to move
into public health. I completed the training scheme in SW Thames– which was more an apprenticeship
then, with relatively little formal training, which suited my style of learning – I like to “have a go”. From
there I became a DPH in Devon, then moved to the NHS Executive to head up the Public Health Unit,
which was responsible for setting up NICE amongst other things. I then became RDPH in the East of
England for 7 years. From there, I had a fun 20 months as DPH in Scotland (the Kingdom of Fife) where I
re-connected with my public health roots, and enjoyed practicing PH in a different system. I came back
to the East of England for personal reasons, and worked part time as a Consultant in Cambridge for 4
years before taking up my current full time post 7 months ago.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
My first DPH role in Devon taught me so much – I had a fantastic Chief Exec, whose management style
was very non-hierarchical, hands off and supportive, and which I have tried to emulate. I also enjoyed
being an RDPH and working on the policy development side of things – working in DH, and seeing the
political machinery in motion, was fascinating.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Go for it – its great fun. Take as many opportunities as you can to experience the breadth of PH practice
as a registrar. Also, be prepared to “have a go” and try different things and challenges – you will never
have this sort of supported learning experience again.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
People skills; a passion for the job and the communities you serve; – and a sense of humour!
27
Rosie Frankenberg
Current role: Public Health Consultant in Suffolk, GP Partner at Ravenswood Practice, Ipswich and
Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG GP Clinical Executive Member
Time in role: Consultant/DPH since 1993, GP partner since 2005, Clinical Exec since 2012
Background (medic/non-medic): Medical, GP training and Public Health membership
Completed the training scheme in: Public Health in 1993
Contact for further advice: Via Suffolk CC or Ravenswood Medical practice
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
I worked in hospital and then did a GP vocational training scheme. I continued to do clinical work, in FPC
and as a GP assistant until I joined the practice in Ipswich as a Partner. I completed public health training
after finishing MRCGP and started as a consultant in Manchester in 1993. I have continued as a
consultant or DPH since then. I now work in the three roles above.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
My work as a clinician showed to me the importance of prevention and promoting health which was
why I went into public health after GP training. I find the roles are synergistic and believe that more
people should have the opportunity to work in public health and a clinical role.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Keep your options open, gain wide experience and maintain a clinical role if you want to.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
Enthusiasm & energy & commitment
Ability to juggle competing roles
Good communicator
28
Ian Harvey
Current role: Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UEA, Norwich
Time in role: 5 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medicine
Completed the training scheme in: 1990
Contact for further advice: [email protected] T. 01603 593681
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
I qualified in medicine in 1982 in Cardiff. I worked until early 1986 in training posts in both hospital
medicine and briefly in general practice. In 1986 I was appointed to my first public health post as a
Wellcome Trust funded Lecturer in Clinical Epidemiology in Cardiff. During this time I studied for
(entirely self-taught) and completed my MFPH. I had some – though limited – exposure to NHS Public
Health, and was mostly occupied working to gain research grants and publish. In 1990, having
completed my training, I was appointed to a Senior Lectureship again in Cardiff, heading a small applied
research unit that was funded by the then health authority. In 1992 I moved to become Senior Lecturer
in the University of Bristol – attracted there by the clearer research opportunities. In 1998 I was
appointed to a Chair in Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of East Anglia (UEA). I became
involved in the development of the newly created medical school. In 2008 I was appointed as Dean of
one of the four Faculties at UEA, which is a senior management role. I manage about 200 academic staff
and sit on the University’s eight person Executive Team.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
The main accident of my career was that my first public health post was an academic post. This was not
planned. I developed a taste however for applied research – mostly clinical trials. I benefited from some
very good mentorship from a more senior academic colleague who taught me all I know about
identifying good research and researchers
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Academic public health is fantastically rewarding and varied. But you have to be quite tough and
strategic. Universities are very competitive and performance driven organisations, especially when it
comes to research. Every 5 or 6 years there is a national assessment of research quality and academics
have to perform in terms of their publications and their grant income. Some academics major on
teaching and learning, and this can also be very rewarding. Student feedback is increasingly recognised
as important to this landscape.
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
Diplomatic. Determined. Authoritative.
29
David Pencheon
Current role: Director (Sustainable Development Unit, PHE) and Honorary Professor (UCL)
Time in role: Director of SDU since 2008
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 1996
Contact for further advice: [email protected] +44(0)7900 715184
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
I’ve worked as Director of a Public Health Observatory in Cambridge, as a clinical doctor in the NHS, a
joint Director of Public Health, a Public Health Training Programme Director in the East of England, with
the NHS R&D programme, and in China in the early 1990s with Save the Children Fund (UK). I was
awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2012 for services to public health and the NHS.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
Mainly trainers. My placement with the Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre (CDSC) in Colindale
was very good as it allowed me to lead on a national outbreak temporarily and help support (and learn
from) an excellent local team.
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Contact the lead persons (Director, DPH) and make an offer/proposal that helps them deliver their
objectives and helps you become a better professional
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
Social skills
Insight
Take responsibility and initiative and risks
Willingness to learn quickly and deliver on time
30
Sultan Salimee
Current role: Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) – Public Health England
Time in role: Over 8 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medics
Completed the training scheme in: 2005
Contact for further advice: [email protected] or [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
Qualified as a Medical Practitioner (MD) in Kabul, Afghanistan in the early 1980s; left the county due to
civil war and begun working with international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as a Medical
Officer (MO) and then with the World Health Organisation East Mediterranean Region (WHO/EMRO) as
a National Programme Officer (NPO) for Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Acute Respiratory
Infections (ARI), Control of Diarrhoeal Disease (CDD) and Training Standardisation.
Were there any particular training locations or opportunities that had a particular impact on your
career development?
South East London Health Protection Unit
Lambeth Primary Care Trust
East Sussex Brighton & Hove Health Authority
What advice would you give to any Registrars who are interested in working in an organisation or role
similar to the one you are now in?
Be clear about your career objectives – specialist, generalist, UK, international, etc.
Focus on relevant competencies during your training
Do not loose site of the bigger picture – the wider public health + the major players
If you were to employ someone to replace you in your role, what top three skills or qualities would you
look for?
Be competent and don’t panic when dealing with unexpected
Have the “people skills” so you can bring everyone on board when needed
Be realistic and pragmatic – you can’t achieve everything on your own
31
Liz Ollerhead
Current role: Public Health Consultant, portfolio work
Time in role: 5 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2003
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
My interest in public health developed from clinical work on short term projects in Africa, as I became
aware of the need to change the wider factors influencing health to make progress. I studied for a
Masters in public health while working in general practice, and then joined a public health training
scheme. I worked in consultant posts for six years before working independently. I have found medicine
to be a career which has developed with me, as I have worked in general practice, public health, and my
learning is now about global health, carrying skills and experience forward. I still find improving
population health is a goal that inspires me, and allows me to make a difference that I value in my work.
I have a portfolio of work as an independent public health consultant. My main role is as a consultant
adviser to a national research programme, and it has been satisfying to see public health research
funded and underway to build evidence for future practice. I also carry out public health consultancy
work which keeps me linked into issues in public health practice and local services. I provide some
individual career support, and I find it rewarding to see people realise their possibilities. Alongside my
work, I have completed a MSc in global health, building on my interest in child and maternal health in
low and middle income countries.
Advice for SpRs who are interested in pursuing a similar career path:
It helps to be quite experienced for independent working, and it is useful to have some niche skills or
special interests to offer, though it could also be an option between roles during organisational change.
The best things about my current role are:
variety and interest
good career development
flexibility for work-life balance
32
Peter Davidson
Current role: Consultant in Public Health & Director of NETSCC - Health Technology Assessment
Time in role: 6 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2003
Contact for further advice: [email protected]
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
NETSCC is the National Institute for Health Research; Evaluations, Trials and Studies Co-ordinating
Centre based at the University of Southampton Science Park. It runs a number of national research
programmes on behalf of the National Institute for Health Research, the Medical Research Council and
the Department of Health. Further information on the centre and biographies for other members of the
Senior Management Team can be found here: http://www.netscc.ac.uk/about/
Peter originally trained as a GP and practised for 12 years. During this time he developed a specific
interest in evidence-based healthcare and decided to retrain in public health in order to develop his
knowledge and skills in healthcare public health.
During his public health training Peter completed a placement at the predecessor of NETSCC and
continued to work part-time for the unit when he qualified as a Public Health Consultant in 2003 (whilst
at the same time working as a Public Health Consultant for NHS Southampton City).
In 2006 he began working full-time at NETSCC, initially at Consultant level and eventually progressing to
the Director role he occupies today.
Advice for SpRs who are interested in pursuing a similar career path:
Arrange a placement at the NETSCC. It is a National Treasure and therefore open to trainees
from all deaneries. (Information on training placement opportunities can be found here:
http://www.wessexdeanery.nhs.uk/public_health/specialist_training/net_cc.aspx
Find opportunities to get involved in health service research and particularly academic
evaluations.
Gain experience working for or with NICE and other bodies setting national healthcare
guidelines.
Develop a broad understanding of the current structure and function of the health service.
The best things about my current role are:
Working on national projects and collaborating with specialists whom you may not encounter
when working at a local level.
Whilst career progression is available in the unit, individuals could also go on to work at the
Department of Health, NICE or other similar national organisations.
33
Jo Nurse
Current role: Senior Advisor, Public Health Services Division of Health Systems and Public Health WHO
Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen
Time in role: 1.5 years
Background (medic/non-medic): Medic
Completed the training scheme in: 2003
Please could you outline your career path, including your work experience prior to public health
training, which has led to your current role?
I initially qualified in medicine in 1991 at Southampton University, with a clinical background in
psychiatry and general practice. Whilst undertaking the UK public health training programme I gained
experience in offender health, a youth health promotion project in Honduras and a placement at WHO
working on violence prevention and completed a Masters both in Public Health and in Health
Promotion.
I have worked as a Public Health Consultant, (MFPH), since 2003, gaining experience at local, regional,
national and international levels. Initial consultant posts were in Southampton and Portsmouth PCTs
where I developed a public health strategy and team in Portsmouth and an older people's strategy in
Southampton. I advised the DH nationally on violence and abuse prevention since 2003 and followed
this work with a part time PhD on the Public Health contribution to policy development on violence
prevention, based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
In 2005, I was appointed as a Consultant in Public Health for the Department of Health in the SE
Regional Public Health Group, leading on Public Mental Health and Housing, including learning
disabilities and offender health for 8 million people. Since 2006 - 2010, I took over the national lead role
in the Department of Health, England, on excess winter and summer deaths. This involved cross sector
work to address fuel poverty, responsibility for the national Heatwave plan and the development of DH
guidance and workforce development on climate change and health.
Between 2008- 2010, I took on the national lead role in Public Mental Health and Well Being for the
Department of Health, England. This involved the development of a Well Being framework, providing
leadership in Public Mental Health with external stakeholders and working across DH and other
government departments to influence policy to promote wider well being.
Since April 2012, I have been based in Copenhagen at the World Health Organisation European Region,
currently as Programme Manager for Strengthening Public Health Services and Capacity across the 53
European countries. This role involves taking forward an action plan with ten Essential Public Health
Operations with European countries and partners. For the previous 18 months, I managed a WHO seven
country project on developing climate change and health national assessments and strategies, including
on sustainable development, across Europe.
The best things about my current role are:
34
Being able to contribute to the global public health agenda
Supporting countries in developing their public health services
Living and working in an international setting which helps in understanding how things can be
done differently
Advice for SpRs who are interested in pursuing a similar career path:
Look at a range of jobs advertised on the WHO website to help direct training requirements and
personal skills development - e.g. most posts need at least 2-3 years international experience
and knowledge of another language.
Try to get a WHO placement and / or other international experience as part of your training -
this helps to understand the pros and cons and to develop contacts for the future.