WELCOME! A quick guide to Public Health Networks supported by the PHRU

1. WELCOME! A quick guide to Public Health Networks supported by the PHRU

2. “A network is a grouping of individuals, organisations and agencies organised on a non-hierarchical basis around common issues or concerns, which are pursued proactively and systematically, based on commitment and trust.”[i] [i]World Health Organisation (1998) Health Promotion Glossary. Geneva: WHO/HPR/HEP/98.1.

3. Why ‘Network’? Public Health Networks were originally set up to: bring together the work of multi-disciplinary Public Health teams and provide a forum for sharing the knowledge and skills of staff in different geographical areas

4. What’s in it for me as a member? (a few examples) • Continual learning and Professional Development – this can be linked into your Personal Development Plan (PDP) • Access to the expertise and experience of other practitioners, which helps keep you ‘current’ in your field • Increased sense of professional identity and gaining visibility in your field. You can find examples of benefits for the organisation and to Public Health atwww.phru.net/phnz

5. BEWARE ‘VIRTUAL’ PUBLIC HEALTH NETWORKS ARE NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT!

6. A Public Health Network should: • Be project based • Allow new combinations of people to work together (a ‘fluid’ membership) • Facilitate a review of existing research and literature and the creation of new data

7. Networks might need HELP with… • IT • Accessing information • Using information effectively • Planning and development

8. They might need to think about… • Network relationships • Communication • Resources

9. The Start-Up Guide

10. The Start-Up Guide gives a background to Public Health Networks and an overview of how a successful Network might look. The Activity Checklist gives clear signposts as to what direction a Public Health Network should be moving and what should be considered at each stage.

11. The 3-Level Model Public Health Networks can use this model as a ‘roadmap’ of where they are and where they’d like to be It also links each stage with the support available within the PHRU

12. The model also helps the PHRU as… If the PHRU can anticipate the kind of support a network might need… …it can respond more effectively… …and hopefully the networks will have increased confidence that their members changing needs can be supported

13. HOWEVER, COMMUNICATION IS A 2-WAY STREET… WE NEED NETWORKS TO KEEP US UP TO DATE WITH WHAT STAGE THEY ARE AT AND WHAT SUPPORT THEY THINK THEY NEED

14. The 3-Levels in a nutshell • Getting Started – preparing for your journey • Moving Forward – setting off and getting into the swing of things • Flourishing – getting something out of your journey and celebrating how far you’ve come!

15. Useful to note… Public Health Networks will all be different and must respond to their own changing needs So, not all Networks will require the PHRU services outlined in the 3-Level Model at the same stage in their journey

17. Where you’ll find me: Lorna Braidwood, Public Health Network Co-ordinator Email:Lorna.Braidwood@ggc.scot.nhs.uk Public Health Networks Zone:www.phru.net/phnz Phone: 0141 201 4924 Address: 2 North, Dalian House, 350 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G3 8YZ