Regional Public Health Observatories were established in 2000 to provide
a range of health intelligence functions for the regional Directors of
Public Health. The Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) was
established to provide co-ordination of PHOs’ activities. The regional
PHOs and APHO are core funded by the Department of Health to deliver
these functions, which include:
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Promoting and delivering health intelligence to decision makers to
improve health and reduce health inequalities;
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Acting as advocates for population health information, ensuring that
high quality, relevant information is available to a range of
stakeholders;
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Being a single port of call for those who need such information; and
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Developing a skilled health intelligence workforce.
NWPHO is steered by a regional advisory group, which is chaired by the
Regional Director of Public Health. We have a range of functions that
support both national and regional public health intelligence:
Public Health
Intelligence
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NWPHO
is a designated Department of Health ‘safe haven’ for sensitive data
items and holds 10-year datasets of hospital episode, mortality and
birth statistics as well as a range of geographic and geodemographic
classifications. From these we produce an annual small area dataset,
used to monitor local trends, health inequalities and regional progress
towards national health inequalities targets.
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We produce bespoke reports using a wide range of health-related datasets
and carry out novel analyses and dissemination of new methods for health
intelligence; in particular focussing on small area health measures and
determining new and novel ways to illustrate health patterns and
investigate health inequalities.
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As a specialist analytical service, we conduct bespoke and routine
analyses for partners and customers and use our detailed knowledge of
the local and regional situation for added value. We also provide
training, support and advice on methods such as Health Equity Audit,
Lifestyle Surveys and Health Scrutiny.
Regular
Reports
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We produce synthesis reports that draw together intelligence,
policy and evidence on a range of topics such as conducting lifestyle
surveys, violence as a health issue and social marketing.
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Where possible, we link these reports with the production of technical
documents produced in conjunction with the APHO and contribute to a
series of national ‘Regional Indications’ reports produced for the Chief
Medical Officer for England.
Local Health Profiles
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From the health indicators within our annual small area health dataset,
we have created an online Health Profiler - just enter a postcode from
any area in the North West and obtain a profile of that local community.
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Working with other teams in the Centre for Public Health, we have
produced a range of alcohol indicators for the very first ever alcohol
related health profile for local authorities in the North West region.
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With all other PHOs* in the country, we produce national Community Health Profiles as outlined as a key
role of Observatories in the Government White Paper ‘Choosing Health’.
Online Data Tools
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We aim to make all our public health intelligence, routine and bespoke
datasets and methodologies available and accessible via a range of
interactive web-based tools. Included with these are links to a range of
national and international public health tools for access to wider
datasets.
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NWPHO online tools are linked with the production of reports and
publications but allow users to access the data in a way that suits
them: for example via tables, interactive maps, textual profiles or
flexible charts.
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On behalf of our public health partners across the region, we have
developed an integrated public health website, where a range of
agencies, public health networks and regional taskforces make their work
plans, membership, events, publications and best practice available to
the wider public health community.
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As part of our technical developments, we are constantly enhancing the
ability of our users to search across a range of public health
resources; this now includes an interoperable website search of the
other UK Public Health Observatories.
Contact staff in the North West Public Health Observatory
(Organisational Chart)