1. Developing capacity and capability for HIA in the North East region Balsam Ahmad (1), Tanja Pless-Mulloli (2), Martin White (3) (1,2,3 School of Population and Health Sciences, Newcastle University) David Chappel (North East Public Health Observatory) Derek Ward (Public Health Group, Government Office, North East)

2. 2 Outline Background Aims and objectives Methods Findings from the mapping of HIA capacity and Capability. Summary

3. 3 Background & aim The North East Public Health Observatory (NEPHO) commissioned the public health research group at the University of Newcastle to map HIA capacity and capability in the North East Region and outline a strategy for future development to meet present and future needs.

4. 4 Objectives Identify the HIA curriculum within public health courses and training schemes in the North East (Objective 1). Identify individuals with knowledge, skills or experience in HIA (Objective 2) Identify organisations in the region with a role in HIA (Objective 3) Identify current and future HIA activities (Objective 4)

5. 5 Objectives (continued) Obtain views of individuals undertaking HIA as to what support they need (Objective 5). Obtain views of organisations as to what they expect of HIA (Objective 6). Identify organisations outside the region that could provide training (and specialist expertise) including trainer development (Objective 7). Write a draft strategy (Objective 8)

6. 6 Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 21 key informants in the region and nationally. Two sampling methods (purposive sampling and “snowballing”) Email questionnaires

7. 7 Objective 1: Identifying the HIA curriculum within public health courses and training schemes in the North East Methods contacted course directors and professors in the 5 higher education institutions in the North East region. Sent email questionnaire to public health trainees. Introduced questions about training in the topic guides for interviews with regional contacts.

8. 8 Key findings-objective 1 Very limited HIA activity. There is some basic training in HIA as part of postgraduate master courses in public health. Very limited research and technical assistance in HIA after 2003. Active HIA research group in Northumbria University (1996/97-2003)

9. 9 Objective 2: Identifying individuals with knowledge, skills or experience in HIA Methods interviews, letters to Directors of Public Health and key contacts at local authority. snowballing. Outcome: database

10. 10 Objective 2- Key findings Several respondents attended training by external organisations (e.g. one and three- day training by London Health Observatory, 5 day course delivered by IMPACT, university of Liverpool, Birmingham). Limited but increasing hands-on experience in HIA.

11. 11 Objective 3: Identifying organisations in the region with a role in HIA HIA is every body’s business but no one’s responsibility. Only one post created with TORs on HIA in Durham County Council (Policy Officer, Health Improvement).

12. 12 Objective 3: Identifying organisations in the region with a role in HIA Local Government  Environment department  Local Agenda 21 Community and Cultural Services Directorate in Sunderland, Gateshead.  Transport  Planning Department (Sustainable Communities)  Strategy and Regeneration  Social services  Leisure and cultural services Healthy city projects

13. 13 Objective 3 (Continued): Identifying organisations in the region with a role in HIA NEPHO Primary Care Trusts Public Health Group North East/ Government Office for the North East Universities Strategic Health Authorities the Regional Assembly for the North East

14. 14 Objective 4: identify current and future HIA activities Ad-hoc Stages in HIA: screening of strategies (e.g. local transport plans, Darlington, Stockton); Full-HIAs: Current (e.g. HIA of Gateshead international stadium); proposed (Prospective HIA of the redevelopment of Sunderland Port regeneration funding). Integrated: Sunderland city council (equalities impact assessment, Wellness programme, housing, healthy cities).

15. 15 Some of the key themes emerging from the interviews Local ownership “We need to convey this message about HIA …..local ownership of the tool and the process rather than being an academic rigorous tool that is imposed on people.”

16. 16 Some of the key themes emerging from the interviews (continued) Joint working “I think it showed the potential for making improvements to health through non-health service organisations because the whole sort of working together generally seemed to work quite nicely…”

17. 17 Some of the key themes emerging from the interviews (continued) Negative “we found it a bit long winded and a bit obvious and tedious and predictable in its outcomes and cost a lot of money”.

18. 18 Concluding summary Limited HIA activity in academia. Reasonable number of professionals trained in HIA (mainly at PCT level). Limited training in HIA in local authorities. Limited but increasing practice in HIA.

19. Thank you. Questions and discussion