Workforce development is a key component of the Public Health Microbiology strategy and NHS Education for Scotland is working closely with members of the Scottish health Protection Network (SHPN) to support a progressive, integrated approach to workforce development and delivery of educational opportunities.
Introduction
Public Health Microbiology (PHM) is a speciality that encompasses human, animal, food, water, and environmental microbiology, focusing on human health and disease. It requires laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, and clinicians to generate, integrate, analyse, and communicate epidemic intelligence. PHM supports the monitoring of known and emerging threats and facilitates the evaluation of effective interventions (adapted from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) consensus definition).
A strategy for Scotland
The Public Health Microbiology Strategy for Scotland outlines the key functions of PHM in Scotland:
· Monitoring, alert, and response
· Technical expertise
· Clinical and scientific advice
· Workforce development
· Reference microbiology
· Collaboration and research
Collaboration and coordination are critical for the development and delivery of the strategy. It is essential to bring together partners across Scotland and beyond to accurately define and prioritise challenges.
PHM, in partnership with NHS National Services Division (NSD), is responsible for commissioning reference laboratory services for NHS Scotland. Scottish national reference laboratories provide support to guide the clinical management of individual patients. They also offer analytical and advisory services for epidemiological data collected by the NHS and PHM, and maintain an archive of samples that contributes to surveillance, research, quality assurance, audit, and teaching.
This approach ensures the delivery of robust surveillance data and comprehensive scientific expertise across Scotland.
Outline for workforce education and development for public health microbiology in Scotland
Currently being developed via the PHM Workforce Education and Development Group