‘What is next for WNHSS; strengthening the role for research in practice’

Dr Julie BishopThursday 19th March 2015

WNHSS – What Next?

Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes• 1991 pilot between HPAW and CCW• Development work in connection

with ENHPS 1994/5• 1999 Official Launch of WNHSS

– Scheme in each local authority area of Wales

– Over 99% of schools in Wales participate

WNHSS – What Next?

Scheme Components• Local assessment of progress• National Quality Award• Four domains

– Leadership and communication; the curriculum; ethos and environment; family and community

• Seven Topics– Mental and emotional health and wellbeing; food

and fitness; personal development and relationships; substance use and misuse; Environment; Safety and Hygiene

WNHSS – What Next?

The Challenge• Child Health Outcomes are not good

– Highest rate of obesity in 4/5 year olds in any UK country and compared with any English region

– Physical Inactivity is growing– Mental and emotional wellbeing,

particularly in disadvantaged groups

WNHSS – What Next?

Transforming Health Improvement in WalesThe National Health Improvement Review would make recommendations regarding options for: • The future direction of health improvement• The most effective means of delivering health improvement

programmes to achieve the most sustainable outcomes• Opportunities to strengthen the interdisciplinary delivery of health

improvement• The role of Public Health Wales and other contributors in

delivering health improvement. The recommendations will be submitted to the Minister for Health and Social Services by December 2012

WNHSS – What Next?

Implementation programme

• Designing a new approach, which– Focuses on action at a population level– Focuses on primary prevention– Is capable of being delivered through

mainstream of existing programmes and services

– Is capable of achieving change at scale– Will reduce health inequalities

WNHSS – What Next?

WNHSS – What Next?

Health Outcomes

Reducing Smoking

Prevalence

Reducing Alcohol and

Drug Related Harm

Reducing Overweight and Obesity

Increasing Physical Activity

Improving Mental

Wellbeing and Resilience

Health Communication,

Engagement and mobilisation

Healthy NHS Framework

Health at Work

Healthy Communities Framework

Welsh Network of

Health Promoting

School Schemes

Early Years Settings

Framework

Multi-Level System Wide Alignment

Policy

National Bodies;

Programmes and Services

Local System

Leadership (Local Public

Health Teams)

Framework for Health Improvement

Building on Our Existing Assets• Schools feature heavily in the

international evidence base• Healthy Schools type approaches (multi-

level action) have an impact• The impact is small but important at a

population level• Universal approach is important in

reducing inequalities

WNHSS – What Next?

Working Differently

• Alignment across policy areas and programmes agreed outcomes

• Agreeing benchmarks (what does good look like?)

• Identifying and sharing best practice• Access to support; tools; guidance• Measurement and evaluation

WNHSS – What Next?

How can SHRN help?• Strengthening the evidence base on health

outcomes• Developing the evidence base on health

impact on educational outcomes• Tracking change to school environments – are

we making a difference?• Understanding impact on pupil and staff

outcomes• Building skills in using research evidence in

practice

WNHSS – What Next?