news@wcfh July 2006

Towards a step change in the health of the people of Issue 5

Interview with Deputy Chair, Hugh Thomas CBE KStJ DL Inside this issue:

Hugh Thomas, Deputy Chair of WCfH, has had a Interview with 1 distinguished 40-year career in local government followed Deputy Chair, by 10 years in the NHS, first as Chairman of a Hugh Thomas Commissioning Authority and then as Chairman of the 2nd Hot Topic: 1 Swansea NHS Trust. Childhood Food & Fitness Following his retirement in 1995 as County Clerk and Chief Executive of Mid Glamorgan Local Authority, the Secretary WCfH Hosts APHO 2 of State appointed him as Chairman of the Residuary Body Meeting for Wales in the wake of the local government re- organisation. This year he assumed the Presidency of the Court of the WCfH at The 2 National , having already served as the Chairman of its Council Royal Welsh Show and Honorary Secretary for 25 years. His links with Higher Education are Project Focus: GP 3 very strong having been Deputy Chairman of the University of Glamorgan, Desk Aid and he now serves on the Council of University and its Audit Committee. Network Update: 3

Hugh was elected Deputy Chair of the WCfH Board in April 2005, and deems it a privilege to be of further service in the health sector. “Having spent the European Update 3 last 10 years in the Health Service, I felt that my knowledge and experience coupled with my long career in local government could make a valuable Charity Begins at 4 contribution to the WCfH leading the way in ‘joined-up’ working in Wales Work and being the catalyst for new partnerships.”

News & Events 5 More recently, Hugh was installed as the Prior for Wales of the Order of St. John overseeing the work of the charity in Wales. He has also been Contacts 6 appointed the Honorary Counsel of Japan in Wales since 1996. Copies of the booklet On the WCfH’s future direction, Hugh is very positive: “The current can be downloaded at: Functionalities Review of the agencies of the Welsh Assembly Government— http:// including the WCfH— is a very important initiative, as I believe the outcome www.wales.nhs.uk/ will promote more effective services for the community cutting out sites3/docmetadata.cfm? unnecessary duplication. The WCfH has an important ‘hub role’ to play in orgId=568&id=59539 bringing together organisations with a common agenda and I am confident that the Review Panel will acknowledge how much the WCfH has achieved in its first statutory year of existence.”

2nd Hot Topic: Childhood Food & Fitness We recently continued our Hot Topics series with a publication aimed at parents of 7-11 year olds. The bilingual booklet entitled ‘Is It Really Just Puppy Fat?’ (see picture right) was sent to every primary school in Wales in June in order to inform parents about the dangers of childhood obesity and the benefits of regular exercise. To complement the booklet, a workshop on

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news@wcfh Issue 5 continued engaging with parents was held at the Welsh Assembly Government’s conference on Food & Nutrition in Young People on 29th June. This was a great success and the feedback gathered has proved invaluable to informing future work around community engagement.

Contact Anne Fallows on 029 2022 7744 or [email protected] for more information.

WCfH Hosts APHO Meeting

The WCfH hosted the meeting of the Directors of the Association of Public Health Observatories of the United Kingdom and Ireland (APHO) on 18th July in Cardiff. APHO is comprised of leading Health Intelligence organisations in the nine regions of England, the Scottish Public Health Observatories, All Ireland Public Health Observatory (Inishpho) in the Irish Institute of Public Health and the Wales Centre for Health's Information and Intelligence Team. The meeting discussed national and international policy around health intelligence and analysis. It was decided on the day that WCfH will produce, in collaboration with its partners, publications comparing health in Wales with other parts of the APHO network. This will help to drive forward health improvement work in Wales. For more information see www.apho.org.uk or contact Neil Riley at WCfH on 029 2022 7744 or [email protected]

WCfH at The Royal Welsh Show 2006

Lynnette Thomas, Head of Partnerships & Communication at WCfH, was invited to take part in a ‘round table’ presentation with the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) on the first day of The Royal Welsh Show (24th July) at Builth Wells. Other speakers included the Chair of CCW, John Lloyd-Jones, and Ceri Daugherty, CCW Health Policy Officer.

New findings from a CCW survey on the links between health and the environment were discussed during this presentation, and questions and comments from the public were welcomed. The survey’s findings will be used to develop CCW policy which in turn informs the Welsh Assembly Government’s Well-being in Wales Strategy.

To carry out the survey, seven focus groups were held formed of Welsh residents of all ages from urban and rural settings, varying socio-economic backgrounds and different fitness levels. The survey’s main findings showed that people feel better in the countryside and that although there is only a marginal relationship between health and the natural environment, the association with wellbeing is strong.

The WCfH the CCW signed a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2006, in order to further develop mutual work on health and the environment, such as the proposed ‘Nature—A Pathway to Health & Wellbeing’ initiative. Partnership working with the CCW on the natural environment and health is useful for sharing expertise in order to address issues that are cross-cutting such as obesity and physical inactivity.

People travel across the globe to benefit from the natural environment in Wales, yet many local people do not take advantage of this. We have a wonderfully rich resource in our natural environment and some of the worst health in Europe. That alone is incentive enough to work together in partnership.

The full report, ‘Understanding Public Attitudes & Beliefs Concerning the Relationship Between Health & the Environment’, is available from the CCW Enquiry Unit on 0845 1306 229 or email [email protected]

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Project Focus: GP Desk Aid

Many myths about back pain — such as bed rest being the best treatment — “The Desk Aid is being are ingrained in our culture today. As Incapacity Benefit expenditure on non- developed with GPs specific back pain rockets, the Welsh Assembly Government are preparing to and other health launch a public health information campaign to educate people on the professionals, meaning management and treatment of back pain. we are working together to

communicate better As part of the Welsh Backs initiative, the WCfH is developing a GP Desk Aid health messages to the designed to ensure clear and consistent messages are getting to the public, people of Wales. We thus bringing about a positive change in the perception of treatments for will all experience back pain. The Steering Group includes colleagues from the NPHS, Cardiff some non-specific University and the Welsh Assembly Government. lower back pain in our lives, and the most In August, the WCfH will be piloting the Desk Aid in selected GP surgeries simple message we can across Wales, evaluating its format and design. Feedback so far has been give is to STAY very positive and the final GP Desk Aid will be launched in September. ACTIVE.”

Kelly Mason, Lead Contact Kelly Mason on 029 2022 7744 or [email protected] for Officer, Training & more information. Education, WCfH

Network Update: All Wales Sexual Health Network The All Wales Sexual Health Network held their conference on

improving access to sexual health services in Cardiff on 27 June. The conference was a complete success, with over 100 delegates attending from the Voluntary Sector, Youth Services, Academia, and various LHBs and NHS Trusts across Wales. Speakers included Dr Caroline Scherf (Llandough Hospital), Dr Marion Lyons (Director of the Sexual Health Programme for the NPHS) and Stefan Sanchez (Head of Sexual Health Promotion, Welsh Assembly Government) who gave the keynote address on how health organisations can play a part in making sexual health information available to all.

The All Wales Sexual Health Network is currently developing themes for its next conference in Autumn/Winter 2006. Contact Anna Morgan on 029 2022 7744 or [email protected] for more information. European Update WCfH is part of EuroHealthNet – a network of European public health agencies working together to communicate health information to key stakeholders and share best practice. The WCfH is at the cutting edge of advancements in European health policy. We monitor international health trends and undertake many research projects with our European partners.

Commission priorities for food safety and public health in 2007: The Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs exposed the Commission’s priorities for food safety and public health for 2007 to the European Parliament in June. In the field of public health issues, the Commission will: • prepare proposals for a community framework for safe, high quality and efficient health

services; • with regard to health threats, the Commission will seek to establish a Health Emergency Operations Facility to allow effective coordination of surveillance and early warnings.

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(Continued form page 3) The Commissioner also confirmed the three broad objectives of the modified public health programme which are to improve the citizen’s health security, to promote health for prosperity and solidarity and to generate and disseminate health knowledge.

Turning to food safety issues, the Commission will: • use the outcomes of the consultation on food labelling for the upcoming revision the General Food Labelling and Nutrition labelling Directives planned in 2007; • present a communication on the EU animal health strategy; • adopt a white paper on better training for safer food in autumn 2006.

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do? reference=SPEECH/06/394&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Council adopts EU sustainable development Food marketing and childhood obesity – a strategy: matter of policy: EU leaders have streamlined proposals to make sure European and international growth is Concerned about the health and economic costs environmentally sustainable. These proposals of childhood obesity, in 2004 the US Congress deal with environmental concerns such as asked the Centre for Disease Control and climate change, energy use and public health Prevention to examine one potential cause — threats. Public health is explicitly cited as a ‘key the marketing of foods directly to children. The challenge’ with the general objective of result is a new Institute of Medicine (IOM) study, ‘promoting good public health on equal ‘Food Marketing to Children and Youth: Threat conditions and improving protection against or Opportunity’, which provides an account of health threats’. how this practice affects children's health. Food The Council proposes various actions, such as: marketing, the IOM says, intentionally targets children who are too young to distinguish • disease prevention by addressing health advertising from truth and induces them to eat determinants; high-calorie, low-nutrient (but highly profitable) • women’s health promoting strategies; "junk" foods. • increase information on environment pollution; A summary of the report is available online at the following link: • concentrate vulnerable groups like children.

http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/06/ http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/

st10/st10117.en06.pdf full/354/24/2527

Contact Lynnette Thomas on 029 2022 7744 or [email protected] for more information on European projects.

Charity Begins at Work!

Ten brave members of WCfH staff took part in the recent 5 km ‘Race for Life’ in Bute Park, Cardiff, recently. Those running (and walking!) the course included Anna Morgan, Kelly Mason, Becky Firks, Arry Brackpool, Kathryn Jellings, Joanne Menzies, Rhiannon Buck, Eleanor Higgins, Zoe Whale and Rhian Huws. Together we raised over £900 for Cancer Research UK. The soaring heat didn’t deter the enthusiasm or motivation of the ladies and all were pleased to finish the race in excellent times and in one piece! Project Support Officers, Kelly Mason and Anna Morgan, were spurred on by their success in the Race for Life and are currently training to run the Cardiff 10k to raise money for Kidney Wales Foundation. news@wcfh 4

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(Continued from page 4) Similarly, Physical Activity Network Wales (PANW) Co-ordinator Arry Brackpool and Health Information & Intelligence Analyst Rhys Gibbon, are training for the Swansea 10k in and the in aid of Barnado’s Cymru.

It’s easy to get involved in charity through work. Why don’t you and a group of colleagues enter a charity event such as a sponsored walk, run, or swim? You have a captive pool of sponsors in other colleagues, and you’ll be combining giving to charity and physical activity, both of which are beneficial to everybody!

(Clockwise: Rhys Gibbon, Arry Brackpool, Kelly Mason)

News & Events

On 13th September at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff, Breast WCfH and the Public Health Resource Unit will Cancer Care hold a Defined Specialist Workshop on Defined is holding the Specialist Registration on the UK Voluntary biggest two- Register. This workshop will aim to explore and hour outdoor explain the portfolio assessment framework for aerobics defined specialists and explain the application event in the UK on 10th September in Bute Park process for WCfH funded portfolio development (Cardiff) and 24th September in Regent’s Park support programmes. (London). The Pink Aerobics will be led by some of the UK’s leading aerobics instructors whilst Please see attached Programme & Booking Forms raising valuable funds to support women and for more information. Alternatively, please men affected by breast cancer. Pink Aerobics is contact Kelly Mason on 029 2022 7744 or suitable for both the aerobics novice and the [email protected] more experienced, with a strong emphasis on fun! The entry fee is £15 and participants are Professor Mansel Aylward CB, Chair of WCfH, asked to pledge to raise a minimum of £50 in gave the prestigious annual Thackrah Lecture at sponsorship for Breast Cancer Care. Download the Society of Occupational Medicine’s the entry form attached. Conference on 20th June. The lecture focused on culture change, namely, the need to recognise Contact Breast Cancer Care Cymru on 029 2023 that sickness and incapacity are largely social, 4070 or visit their website at not medical problems, supporting the argument www.breastcancercare.org.uk/Cymru_Wales for to move to a biopsychosocial approach to illness.

As part of the Historical Perspectives in Health Seminar Series, WCfH will be holding a seminar on ‘Psychological Injury: Mental Trauma in War & Peace, 1900-2000 vs 2000’ on 17th October in Cardiff. This seminar will bring together historians and health care practitioners to consider experiences of mental trauma during the twentieth century. Modern military conflicts will be compared with the shellshock of the First World War, but the neglected history of psychological injury in the civilian sphere will also be opened up. There will be the opportunity for delegates to discuss the key issues in workshop sessions. The seminar will be of particular relevance to health care practitioners particularly those dealing with traumatised patients, medical historians, military historians and historians of industrial south Wales, and others with a general interest in mental trauma, past and present.

Please see attached registration forms, or contact Louise Morris for more information on 029 2087 0316 or [email protected]

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The Coed Lleol Partnership invites people We would like to extend a warm welcome to the across to Wales to visit the Graybeards woods, following new staff: near Aberaeron, for a day of workshops on sustaining woodland projects through Felicity Barclay, Project Support Officer for community involvement. The event will be held Health Improvement; on 10th August and will include talks on social inclusion initiatives in woodlands, the Tracy Davies, Senior Finance Officer; “Woodlands for Wellbeing” WICKED Project and Michelle Hurley-Tyres, HR Officer; promoting greater self esteem in children Nathan Jones, Clerical Assistant; through woodland based projects. Sue Mably, Specialist in Public Health; The Coed Lleol Partnership has developed successful collaborations with Ceredigion County Beth Preece, Project Support Officer for Council Local Education Authority, Social Nutrition Network. Services and Health Care Bodies by providing an inspiring woodland venue and programme of We would like to wish a fond farewell to Julie green woodworking, woodland management and Hopkins and Zoe Whale, maternity cover for arts based activities where socially excluded the Heads of Partnerships & Communications sectors of the community can gain confidence, and Training & Education respectively. Our self worth and emotional development. Director of Finance, Brian Pickett, will be

leaving soon to assume his work at the Local For more information, please see attached flyer Government Data Unit. We wish all of them the or contact [email protected] best of luck for the future.

Do you have a public health related event that you would like to publicise in this newsletter? If so, contact Joanne Menzies on 029 2022 7744 or [email protected]

How to contact us: Please be assured that your details are kept in the By Phone: 029 2022 7744 strictest confidence. However, if you wish to By Fax: 029 2022 6749 unsubscribe from receiving news@wcfh then By E-mail: [email protected] please email [email protected] By Post: Wales Centre for Health 14 Cathedral Road Cardiff CF11 9LJ

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