LayHealthTrainersintheNHSLearningfromtheUSA.pptVIP

Lay Health Trainers in the NHS:Learning from the USA Shelina Visram Postgraduate Research Associate Community, Health and Education Studies (CHESs) Research Centre Aims of the Presentation To explore the challenges in recruiting, supporting and evaluating lay health trainers in a UK context. To highlight examples of good practice in involving lay advisors in public health, drawing on case studies from the USA. Background Health Trainers were the personalised strand of the ‘Choosing Health’ white paper (DoH 2004). It stated that Health Trainers would: Offer tailored advice, motivation and practical support to people who want help to adopt healthier lifestyles. Be recruited from, and representative of, their local communities. Be funded in the 88 Spearhead PCTs in England from April 2006 and across the country from April 2007. More than 1,200 Health Trainers have now been trained, including 50+ in the prison population. Previous Research A review of the evidence to support the implementation of Health Trainers – August 2005. An evaluation of the early adopter phase of the Health Trainers project in the North East – April 2006. Hosting a national Health Trainers evaluation meeting, in collaboration with Leeds Met University – May 2006. A visit to two key sites in the USA – August 2007. Further evaluation of the initiative in County Durham Tees Valley / a phenomenological study of what it means to be a Health Trainer – September 2007. Findings from Local Evaluations There was felt to have been a previous gap in the workforce dedicated to engaging with local communities. “It’s about going that extra mile and making services accessible in the true sense of the word, rather than expecting everyone to get to services, and understanding what will meet expected needs” [Manager] However, the amount of support the Health Trainers themselves would need had been underestimated. “We hadn’t accounted for the amount of support and supervision that would be required –