2010 for the Public Health Committee

Chair of the Public Health Committee Lika Nehaul (pictured)looks at the year ahead for the Committee.

"2010 will be another challenging year for the Public Health Committee. There are four main issues that we would like to focus on.

"Firstly, we will be working with the Board of the Public Health Wales NHS Trust (PHW) to make the new organisation function successfully, and to be the best Public Health Service in the UK.

"This will not be an easy task as public health capacity is slim. The Public Health Strategic Framework for Wales will need to be implemented and there are high expectations on the part of Local Health Boards of the newly appointed Directors of Public Health, and the support expected from PHW across all domains of public health practice.

"Local authorities and communities will look to the Public Health service to advise on, and support the health improvement agenda. These are substantial expectations in an increasingly difficult financial climate.

"The second issue relates to the ongoing development of BMA Cymru Wales policy. Our members want to work closely with Welsh Council and other crafts in regard to both health care and health policies.

"We would like more doctors specialising in public health to be actively engaged as BMA members, especially given the multiple challenges medics are likely to face in coming years.

"Finally, like other doctors we want the details of our specialty re-validation arrangements clarified at the earliest possible opportunity."