Lucia Scally, Senior Public Health Programme Manager for the Champs Public Health Collaborative, has been shortlisted for and has since won, the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) Innovation in Public Health Award in the Contribution to Public Health Registration category.
The annual awards showcase innovative research, education and practice, as well as celebrate the work of leading public health researcher, Allison Thorpe. The Contribution to Public Health Registration category highlights those who, through practical support for practitioner registration, contribute directly to supporting the implementation of policies and strategies to improve the public’s health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities.
Lucia, who has been with the Champs Support Team for three years, coordinates the North West Public Health Practitioner Scheme, which supports practitioners who are working towards the completion of their practitioner portfolio. Lucia was nominated for this award by Julie Jerram, a Public Health Practitioner who herself recently completed her practitioner portfolio and achieved Public Health Practitioner Registration with UKPHR through the scheme.
Speaking about her nomination, Lucia said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be nominated for this award and to see the scheme gain some recognition. This work started in 2018 and I am now happy to say that we have a successful and established registration scheme with seven practitioners who are registered currently, five of whom achieved that registration status in less than the standard 18 months, which is incredibly impressive.
“We have now also developed and are delivering a virtual scheme offer, which means we will have three intakes of Practitioners each year, who will have access to both scheme support and an online community so that practitioners can learn from and support each other through their portfolio journey. It is a pleasure to be a part of this work and I am looking forward to the schemes continued growth and the registration across the North West of more Public Health Practitioners.”
Helen Cartwright, Head of Programmes for the Champs Public Health Collaborative, said:
“It is fantastic to see Lucia’s achievements recognised by UKPHR and I am delighted to see so much positive feedback for the North West Public Health Practitioner Scheme, which the Collaborative hosts on behalf of the North West region.
“Seeing the hard work of the Collaborative’s Support Team highlighted is particularly encouraging, especially considering the events of the last year, which has been abnormal to say the least and has required each and every one of us to continue to work in adverse and sometimes emotionally challenging conditions. I have my fingers crossed for Lucia as I know she absolutely deserves to win this award.”
The awards will take place virtually on the 22nd April from 11.30am and will form part of the UKPHR Public Health Practitioner Conference. To find out more about the North West Public Health Practitioner Scheme, please click here.
Praise for Lucia: Public Health Practitioners explain why they nominated Lucia for this award
“Lucia took us through the first ever Public Health Practitioner course that has been ran in the North West. From the start she had her work cut out, because we were initially given 12 months, not the usual 18, to complete the course, and that was always going to be tough.
“Lucia was always professional and arranged workshops and days for our groups to the highest standards. Lucia also went the extra mile; a number of our group, myself included, went through challenging life events outside of the course and Lucia supported us to keep on track. If that wasn’t enough, the pandemic happened, and she still managed to steer our group through the remainder of the course, even with all that that brought! Lucia is great at her job and also has a heart of gold”
Julie Jerram, Public Health Practitioner, Manchester City Council
“Lucia was such a constant and reassuring lead throughout the full programme. She made a challenging experience really positive and facilitated a supportive group of practitioners enabling us to learn from each other. I’m not sure I’d have got through without her support!”
Rachel Davis, Public Health Practitioner, Bury Council.
“The help, guidance and encouragement that Lucia gave to us as a group and to me as an individual on the journey to become a registered practitioner was fantastic. Lucia was there through thick and thin and I found her help in overcoming obstacles and moral support absolutely invaluable and I am really grateful to her.”
Liz Harris, Public Health Practitioner, Tameside Council
“As well as providing lots of guidance and practical advice, Lucia was always so supportive and encouraging. She was always on hand to talk through any concerns or queries and personally I don’t think I would have completed the course, had it not been for her.”
Alison Leigh, Public Health Practitioner, Stockport Council
“Lucia has been amazing – her tenacity and determination to support us through the hurdles of registration has been truly inspirational. Always ready with good advice, practical solutions and even a shoulder to cry on – all I can say is a massive thank you for everything you have done to help us on our Practitioner journey!”
Simon Bell, Public Health Practitioner, Halton Council