Welcome to the School of Public Health

"Public Health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organised efforts of society"

Public Health Specialists improve and protect the health of groups of people rather than treating individual patients.  They look at 'the bigger picture' and take action to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent disease, protect and improve health and wellbeing and improve healthcare services.  They work in a range of settings including the NHS, local and national government and specialised agencies.

The aim of the School of Public Health is to ensure that public health specialists are appropriately trained to explicit standards.  The School also oversees workforce planning and the training and development of the wider public health workforce. The purpose of these pages is to provide you with useful education and training information, which will assist you throughout your rotations.

Important Statement for Public Health Trainees about Indemnity

HEE NE would strongly recommend that all trainees have personal indemnity including trainees in Public Health. Such indemnity can be arranged through several Medical Defence societies which are available to those who are not registered with the GMC as well as for GMC-registered doctors. Cover may also be available via a union.

GMC guidance on insurance indemnity and medico-legal support can be found here.

Trainees working in the NHS are covered by Crown Indemnity. Trainees carrying out work for Public Health England (PHE) are covered by PHE’s indemnity arrangements. This should provide adequate cover to meet the GMC’s obligations to patients for their medical care (including advice) provided. It does not however provide comprehensive indemnity to cover all situations where medico-legal help may be required. For example it does not provide cover for work performed outside of the NHS either privately or for non-NHS bodies. Most doctors or other Public Health professionals would also prefer to have independent legal advice if involved in a  GMC investigation or other legal proceedings and it is important to note that there are many potential situations not adequately covered by Crown Indemnity where personal indemnity may be necessary. 

In view of this HEE NE would strongly recommend that trainees take out personal indemnity to provide adequate medico-legal support should it be required.

School Contacts:

Head of School: Elizabeth Morgan

Training Programme Director: Dr Kirsty Foster

Programme Manager: Mr Steve Hamnett

Specialtiy Support Officer: Mrs Laura Trainer

Overview of Public Health