Updated best practice guidance has been published to inform the inclusion of public health content within pre-registration curricula for the AHP workforce.
The Council of Deans of Health, which represents UK university faculties for nursing, midwifery and AHPs, has consulted widely to produce the new document: Guidance: Public Health Content within the Pre-Registration Curricula for Allied Health Professions.
The public health content within the Pre-Registration Curricula guidance was first launched in September 2017 to provide a consensus on public health content of pre-registration AHP curricula.
Over the past five years, the progress of AHPs in relation to public health has been significant, including the launch and implementation of a new UK-wide AHP Public Health Strategic Framework.
The guidance sets out 14 recommendations, and includes several updates to the original guidance document, including a greater emphasis on reducing health inequalities.
Therapeutic radiographer Laura Charlesworth, associate professor at the University of Lincoln, supported on the radiography content of the refreshed guidance.
Deputy Chief AHP Officer for England Linda Hindle said: ‘We know a continued, radical upgrade in prevention is needed to ensure the sustainability of the health and social care system and improve the public’s health and wellbeing.
‘The importance of public health, prevention and reducing health inequalities has been further emphasised by the Covid-19 pandemic and AHPs have been instrumental in the response to the immediate and long-term impact of the global pandemic.
‘AHPs are recognised as having the skills, opportunity, and enthusiasm to be an integral part of the public health workforce. We need to maintain this momentum and spread good practice throughout the professions so this approach to prevention and population health becomes the norm.’