This module introduces public health and the domains of health protection, health improvement and health and social care quality supported by robust health intelligence. Central to the module is the determinants of health, health equity, community engagement and ethical health promotion practice. The development of critical analysis of current public health practice is combined with practical skills of health impact assessment, policy analysis, advocacy and community engagement. The focus includes becoming an ethical and reflective practitioner developing professional competencies in communicating, leadership and governance. Learners will also be able to understand the role of public health practitioners and apply their learning to practical examples.

1. Critically appraise public health actions across the domains of health protection, health improvement and health and social care service quality

2. Conduct a health impact assessment of a policy or programme focusing on reducing health inequalities and addressing the determinants of health.

3. Plan strategies to promote, maintain or protect health informed by evidence and stakeholder preference.

4. Develop and action a public health professional development plan in consultation with other learners.

This module gives students an understanding of the role of epidemiology in health improvement, health protection and health service delivery. Students will develop specific skills in epidemiological study design and the critical appraisal of studies, as well as associated skills in the interpretation and communication of the epidemiology of infectious and noninfectious diseases and other health related outcomes.

1. Ability todescribe the health of a population by person,timeand place.

2. Interpret basic statistical methods within epidemiological papers.  

3. Formulate appropriate questions and search strategies and assess evidence for developing recommendations for practice.  

4. Assess and appraise the effectiveness of public health interventions or services.  

This module examines the organisation, delivery and management of health and social care services and the integration of change management. Learners will be introduced to quality improvement theories and systems thinking. The application of quality improvement and evaluation methodologies in the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective health and social care services will be investigated. Learners will develop a critical awareness of improvement science principles. The knowledge and skills to identify, justify and communicate service improvement plans will be developed. Evaluation of health and health improvement services using various methodologies with a focus on overall impact, efficiency, equality and equity will be explored.

1. Critically evaluatehow improvement science can be used to analyse services

2. Explain howservice userscan be involved inservice improvement

3. Illustrate the key tools and approaches of qualityimprovementin contemporary healthcare

4. Summarise technologies thatcan be used to improve services

5. Critically evaluatethe principles of systems thinking fordelivering health and social care quality improvement

This module introduces the concepts and principles of health protection, including infection control and control of non-communicable risks to health and well-being. ​

National and international programmes, policies and systems that protect health will be evaluated.​

Issues around the transmission of disease, surveillance and risk assessment, and outbreak management will be examined. A range of strategies informing prevention and control including screening, immunisation and health acquired infections will be explored.

1. Critically analyse the role of various organisations in identifying, preventing and controlling risks to health and well-being.

2. Apply principles and steps in effective outbreakmanagement, investigation and control.

3. Review the range of preventative control measuresavailable for control of infectious diseases andappraise infection/prevention control guidelines.

4. Design a communication campaign for effective measures for the control of health care acquired infections or other infectious diseases.