Methods
As part of our analytical service, we disseminate methodological tools to assist analysts in the production of standardised public health indicators and measures. These include validated population denominators and trajectories, life expectancy by cause methods, rate and confidence intervals calculators, and website development and GIS processes. We aim to develop new methodologies and promote and support their use across the public health community in the North West region.

Edit URL Notes Neutral Trajectories Model Files Explanatory Notes Spearhead PCTs and LADs Interpretation of Life Expectancy for Spearheads Suicides in the North West SISA statistical calculators online SISA allows you to do statistical analysis directly on the Internet. Statistical Calculators to download Downloadable programs that are generally faster, more precise, more robust, and with better error trapping than website calculators Appendices of Where Wealth Means Health Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Public Health An introductory guide to Geographical Information Systems for North West Primary Care Trust Public Health teams. Equity of geographical access to inpatient hospice care within North West England. A (GIS) approach The current provision of adult and child inpatient hospice provision is evaluated across North West England using spatial analysis, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and readily available web based data. Poison Confidence Interval Spreadsheet Exact Poisson and SMR confidence intervals in Excel (functions in VBA code in this workbook) User Guide - Calculating Poisson confidence Intervals in Excel This is a technical paper for people in Public Health Intelligence roles. Using Geodemographics to illustrate health inequalities Spreadsheet to calculate directly standardised rates Interoperability NWPHO are commited to acheiving interoperability with partners involved in Public Health Intelligence, both within the North West region and Nationally. Definition of Interoperability Calculation of Standardised Rates This spreadsheet allows the user to input their data into specific cells containing formulae to calculate confidence intervals for standardised rates ST Ward IMD Score and Rank Score & Rank for the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004 calculated for ST Wards using IMD Scores for LSOAs and Census 2001 Populations Historic Trends by Cause for LAD (1995-2005) Neutral Trajectories by LAD (1995-2005) England Populations and Life Expectancy 2003-05 Neutral Trajectories by LAD (1995-2005) using 2004 Population Base Neutral Trajectories by LAD (1995-2006) Life Expectancy by Cause, 1995 - 2008 Claimant Data May 2007 Benefits analysis:  standardised claimant ratios (England=100) for 8 benefit types. Northwest LSOAs as at May 2007. Numerator data was from the Department for Work and Pensions (http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/tabtool.asp). All numerators have been rounded to base 5. Population denominators were revised mid-2005 estimates from ONS. Note that denominators vary according to type of benefit.

Audit Tools With a specialist knowledge and wealth of information and analytical skills, NWPHO provide support to our partners and customers on a range of audit, surveillance and survey methods, such as Health Equity Audit, Lifestyle Surveys and Health Scrutiny. The links below provide access to our own materials as well as wider links to national and international tools to support public health audit and surveys.

Edit URL Notes Clarifying approaches to: health needs assessment, health impact assessment, integrated impact assessment, health equity audit, and race equality impact assessment Publication aimed at health promotion practitioners, public health specialists, commissioners and policy makers who are interested in using planning tools to promote decision making to ensure effective public health services, in both the health and non-health sectors. Useful to those who are beginning to use one of these tools, but are not sure what will be the most effective approach. Health Equity Audit: A guide for the NHS A guide principally aimed at PCT Chief Executives, Professional Executive Committees and Directors of Finance, Planning, Commissioning and Public Health and Performance.  Providing a briefing note plus good practice guidance to support anyone interested in HEAs. Health Equity Audit Made Simple A collaboration between HDA and the Public Health Observatories.  A briefing providing practical support to PCTs working with partners in the NHS and LSPs to undertake HEAs.  Covering all aspects of HEA, including examples. Making the case: Health Equity Audit A briefing aiming to provide guidance to the NHS and local government on undertaking HEA.  Aims to increase understanding of the impact of social, economic and environmental influences on health and health inequalities, and to promote effective action. Health Equity Audit: A self-assessment tool A tool to support PCTs address organisational development issues underpinning the HEA process.  The tool is based around a series of statements which encourage reflection on how you are managing HEA, and whether there are gaps in the HEA cycle. Health Equity Audit: A baseline survey of primary care trusts in England A report covering the findings of a London Health Observatory survey of all PCTs in England.  The report presents audit progress, publication, topic, leadership and support as well as other factors impacting HEA. Health Equity Audit: Cervical Cytology Coverage (Newham PCT) HEA examining cervical cytology coverage rates by practice, by locality, and in relation to the provision of practice.  The report also makes recommendations on issues to be addressed in order to improve coverage further. Coronary Heart Disease Health Equity Audit (Brent PCT) This HEA was used first, to inform the PCT’s CHD strategy for commissioning services which meet the full range of needs of the local population and second, to build on work being undertaken by our partners within primary care, local hospitals, the local authority and voluntary sector.  The data within this report have been used to inform all the planning processes in the PCT this year. A framework for health? A screening Health Impact Assessment of the pre-consultation draft of the Regional Spatial Strategy NEPHO: This report supports the development of a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) by ensuring that issues of public health, health inequalities and health care are incorporated into the strategy. A screening Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was undertaken on pre-consultation draft of the strategy. The Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) regulations 2003 Guidance issued by the Secretary of State for Health concerning the functions and responsibilities of Local Authority overview and scrutiny committees in relation to NHS bodies Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny Document details the Department of Health's intentions for local authority overview and scrutiny committees (OSCs) to represent democratically local views on the quality, performance and development of health services to local NHS bodies An overview of Health Impact Assessment (NEPHO) Short summary of the literature on Health Impact Assessment (HIA), outlines the benefits and constraints of undertaking HIA at local level, identifies resources / toolkits to support HIA and specifies roles for the Public Health Observatory and the Health Development Agency. Introduction to Health Impact Assessment (YHPHO) HIA is one of YHPHO's work areas. Their website contains HIA related information such as frequently asked questions and links to useful resources. Health Impact Assessment in the Yorkshire and Humber Region (YHPHO) Review of HIA in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Health Impact Assessment (LHO) Information sources, further reading, reviewing evidence for HIA and links to reports in relation to HIA. Health Impact Assessment (HIA) - a summary (SEPHO) Presentation on HIA from the 2004 SEPHO annual conference by the Deputy Director of SEPHO, Harry Rutter. An Integrated Impact Assessment of Extending Smoke-Free Public Places in Brighton and Hove (SEPHO) Presentation given at the 5th South East Public Health Conference by Kate Benson, Tobacco Control Co-ordinator. Practical approaches to health impact assessment  (SWPHO)Presentation to the Health Impact Assessment Conference held at Lyngford House, Taunton 19 June 2001 by Erica Ison, Public Health Resource Unit, University of Oxford Evaluation of the impact of a single regeneration bid - improving housing in London (SWPHO) Presentation to the Health Impact Assessment Conference held at Lyngford House, Taunton 19 June 2001 by Professor Peter Ambrose, University of Brighton (Presentation overheads as Word document) Health Impact Assessment in Wales: looking at incineration (SWPHO) Presentation to the Health Impact Assessment Conference held at Lyngford House, Taunton 19 June 2001 by Dr Ronan Lyons, Iechyd Morgannwg Health Authority. Health Impact Assessment Regional Planning Guidance WMPHO Health Impact Assessment Developing Regional Capacity (WMPHO) Presentation by Deborah Richardson Improving Health and Reducing Inequalities: A Practical Guide to Health Impact Assessment (WHIASU) A basic guide to conducting a HIA Health Impact Assessment (London Health Commission) HIA is one of the priorities within the London Health Commission work programme. The Commission is committed to undertaking HIA to support the development of effective policy and practice in London Health Impact Assessment (HIARU) The HIARU was established in January 2000, and has three streams of work. 1) Development of techniques to analyse changes in community health and  well-being and to explore mechanisms by which the cause-effect relationship between health and public policy might be elicited. 2) Exploration of some of the philosophical and practical questions around health impact assessment. 3 )Increasing levels of awareness of 'health' in policy-making organisations throughout the West Midlands. Capacity building for Health Impact Assessment in Liverpool Home page of the 'Make an Impact - Capacity Building for Health Impact Assessment' project. This is a 2 ½ year project to build capacity for, and to, carry out health impact assessment across Liverpool Primary Care Trusts (LPCTs), Liverpool City Council (LCC) and other health partnership agencies as and when appropriate. Health Impact Assessment Gateway (NICE) Provides access to HIA related information, resources, networks and evidence to help people in the HIA approach Health Impact Assessment (Welsh Assembly Government) Overview of HIA containing various HIA related information and links to useful resources Health Impact Assessment (PHIS) Information related to HIA and links to useful resources Carrying out a health impact assessment of a transport policy (Faculty Of Public Health) Guidance from the transport and health study group Health Impact Assessment (CDC) HIA information and related links Health Impact Assessment in Trent Region (NHS EXECUTIVE TRENT) Details of Trent Regions objectives in relation to HIA. Contains links to guides and checklists IMPACT (IMPACT) Website of the multi-agency partnership IMPACT, containing large amounts of information on Health Impact Assessment. Health Impact Assessment as a tool for population health promotion and public policy (Public Health Agenda of Canada) A report submitted to the Health Promotion Development Division of Health Canada. Health Impact Assessment WHO website containing links to HIA related information such as HIA and policy, tools and methods, examples of HIAs and news and events. Health Impact Assessment methods and strategies (World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe) The HMS programme provides tools and advice to Member States through building capacity for integrated impact assessments, and aims to increase the profile of health within other sectors’ agenda by contributing with evidence on expected health benefits and risks.  Health Impact Assessment Guidelines (Australian Government. Department of Health and Ageing) Guidelines aimed at promoting and enhancing the incorporation of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) into environmental and planning impact assessment generally, thereby improving the consideration of health issues. Health Impact Assessment (The Institute of Public Health in Ireland) This site provides information on developments on HIA in Ireland and internationally and resources for people who want to conduct HIA A Guide to Health Impact Assessment (Ministry of Health New Zealand) This guide focuses mainly on the health component of impact assessment and to provides a framework and guide for those who have responsibilities or an interest in resource management issues which have the potential to impact on the health of communities and individuals. A Guide to Health Impact Assessment: A policy tool for New Zealand (Public Health Advisory Committee, New Zealand) This Guide introduces health impact assessment (HIA) as a practical way to ensure that health and wellbeing are considered as part of policy development in all sectors Health Impact Assessment Summary (Minnesota Department of Health) HIA - its uses, advantages and disadvantages. Information and Insight for Policy Decisions (Health Impact Assessment) Website aimed at researchers and students wanting to learn more about HIA as well as policy-makers and stakeholders who want to find out more about the health impacts of policies Health Impact Assessment Guidelines (enHealth Council, Australia) Guidelines specifically addressing the use of HIA Health Impact Assessment NSW Health (New Zealand) Website containing information on HIA International Association of Impact Assessment, IAIA IAIA is a forum for advancing innovation, development and communication of best practice in impact assessment. This site contains information on various types if impact assessments, including HIA HIA Connect. Building Capacity to Undertake Health Impact Assessment (CHETRE)Information on HIA including tools, resources and case studies The need for Health Impact Assessment (Swedish National Institute for Public Health) Report aimed at evaluating the need for and potential of HIA in national policy making The Centre for Impact Assessment Research and Training (CIART) Site holding information and links to research and publications relating to HIA.  The purpose of the Centre is to support and promote improvement in the practice of impact assessment in New Zealand and the wider Asia-Pacific region, through a variety of activities. Health Impact Assessment Unit (Deakin University, Australia) Resource for people wanting to learn more about HIA. Provides access to and information on work conducted by the Deakin HIA unit. Health Impact Assessment Database (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) This site contains publications about HIA as well as links to relevant websites. A Glossary for Health Impact Assessment (J Mindell, J., Ison, E., and Joffe, M.) Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2003;57:647-651 How to do (or not to do) Health Impact Assessment (Lerer, L.) Health Policy and Planning 1999;14 (2): 198-203(6) Health Impact Assessment of the Housing Strategy (Liverpool City Council) Health Impact Assessment of Liverpool City Council Housing Strategy Statement to consider and strengthen the links between housing and health. Health Scrutiny (ERPHO) Health Scrutiny Presentation given at meeting of Scrutiny Panel members in Cambridge on 14th Feb 2005. The Centre for Public Scrutiny Information and resources on Health Scrutiny Health Development Today: Issue 12, Dec/Jan 2003. 'Health Scrutiny - Examining the Facts' (Health Development Agency) Report on Health Scrutiny and the roles that Local Authorities have to play Local government scrutiny of health: Using the new power to tackle health inequalities (Health Development Agency) Report providing eighteen case studies of local authorities’ emerging approaches to health overview and scrutiny. Local government scrutiny and health (Health Development Agency) Briefing report on health scrutiny including examples of scrutiny topics. Teenage Pregnancy and Health Scrutiny: A briefing paper (Health Development Agency) Publication focussing on local government scrutiny of teenage pregnancy. Intended for use as both a means to inform local teenage pregnancy coordinators about the process of health scrutiny, and to help local authority health overview and scrutiny committees to understand why teenage pregnancy is an issue that needs to be addressed. Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny: Comments from the Health Development Agency (Health Development Agency) Information on health scrutiny and what the process involves. The Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) regulations 2003 (Dept of Health) Guidance issued by the Secretary of State for Health concerning the functions and responsibilities of Local Authority overview and scrutiny committees in relation to NHS bodies Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny (Dept of Health) Document details the Department of Health's intentions for local authority overview and scrutiny committees (OSCs) to represent democratically local views on the quality, performance and development of health services to local NHS bodies Overview and Scrutiny of Health - Guidance (Dept of Health) Overview and scrutiny (IDeA) Information on 'what is scrutiny' Overview and scrutiny - authorities' reviews (OSCAR) (IDeA) OSCAR will become a national database of reviews which have been undertaken all over the country, at all levels of government. Health Scrutiny Works (DHN) This publication analyses a survey that DHN carried out to see whether the health scrutiny powers have made a real difference in their first two years of existence. It also presents case studies of health scrutiny committees who took part in the survey. Making Health Scrutiny Work (DHN) A practical guide, which draws on the Democratic Health Network's experience on the Department of Health's scrutiny working party, and from supporting local councils and their health partners in working through the opportunities and challenges of health scrutiny. This publication also explains the background to the new health scrutiny role and how to prepare for the new function. Available to purchase from the Books and Guidelines section of the DHN website. Local Authority Scrutiny of Primary Care Organisations (National Primary Care and Research Centre) Study looking at the implementation of the local authority scrutiny function, implications of the scrutiny process for democratic accountability and local governance of primary health care, and implications of the scrutiny process for local authority/PCT partnerships. Site also contains links to useful publications. Specialist Library - Emergency Care: Health Scrutiny (National Electronic Library for Health) Information on health scrutiny, what is is, why it is used, and so on. Also contains list of useful resources and references.   London Assembly Scrutiny Activities and Reports - Health (London Assembly) Various health scrutiny activities and reports available to download. HCNA series: the epidemiologically based needs assessment reviews (HCNA) Information relating to a series of health care needs assessments Health Needs Assessment (NHS) Site provides an overview of health needs assessment in addition to links touseful resources and tools. Health Needs Assessment Toolkit (Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust) Toolkit developed to assist practices to produce health needs assessments of their practice populations Health Needs Assessment in Primary Care (Trent Focus) Pack dedicated to helping primary care practitioners understand the principles of health needs assessment. Health Needs Assessment - HSCWBS (National Public Health Service for Wales) Site contains resource guides, publications and useful links. Health Needs Assessment (Keele University Centre for Health, Planning and Management) Health Needs Assessment Workbook (Health Development Agency) Step by step guide to conducting a health needs assessment. Clarifying health impact assessment (Health Development Agency) Integrated impact assessment and health needs assessment Health Needs Assessment (Exeter Primary Care Trust) Clarifying approaches to: health needs assessment, health impact assessment, integrated impact assessment, health equity audit, and race equality impact assessment (NICE) Updated version of HDA report 'Clarifying health impact assessment, integrated impact assessment and health needs assessment'. Publication aimed at health promotion practitioners, public health specialists, commissioners and policy makers who are interested in using planning tools to promote decision making to ensure effective public health services, in both the health and non-health sectors. Useful to those who are beginning to use one of these tools, but are not sure what will be the most effective approach. Health Needs Assessment: A Practical Guide (NICE) A guide aimed at providing practical assistance to everyone engaged in undertaking HNA, including strategic managers at regional and local levels, facilitators, and practitioners in primary care trusts, local government and the voluntary and community sectors. Welcoming local voices: The role of community involvement in health needs assessment in London (NICE) Research report investigating the role of London's local communties in helping health authorities develop these strategies by providing up-to-date information on their needs. Building blocks for a healthier workplace: Health needs assessment guidance (NICE) Publication providing practical advice and a model questionnaire, which can be adapted to meet the specific needs of different NHS organisations.  Designed for use by multidisciplinary groups, such as Health at Work groups, who are planning workplace health programmes for their staff. Its guidance on gathering existing and additional information about the health needs of staff can be used to prioritise workplace health issues. Conducting a needs assessment (Genomics: A guide for Public Health) Guidance on needs assessments and how to conduct Health Needs Assessment: A systematic approach (National Electronic Library for Health - Health Management) Overview of HNA, including links to examples of good practice Community Health Needs Assessment (ALPHA) Basic principles of HNA Needs assessment (BMJ topics collections) Details of all articles relating to needs assessment published by the BMJ since January 1998 A Practical Guide to Assessing Local Needs for Services for Drug Users (Scottish Executive)  This guide describes the needs assessment process step-by-step, and gives examples of how to do a needs assessment for specific areas of work. Community Health Needs Assessment: A Guide for First Nations and Inuit Health Authorities, 2000 (Health Canada) This Guide provides details about developing and carrying out a community health needs assessment. The Guide is intended for planners working with Band Councils, Tribal Councils, other First Nations and Inuit organizations and associations. Needs Assessment (ACT Health Promotion) Basic overview of information relating to needs assessment Health Equity Profile: Access to secondary care services for lung cancer. West Yorkshire (YHPHO) Report exploring issues around equity of provison of secondary lung cancer services in the West Yorkshire area.  It is primarily intended to inform cancer equity audit work. A Health Equity Audit of Angiography and Revascularisation services in Islington PCT (Islington PCT) The audit examined investigations and interventions compared to need and calculated procedure / need ratios, by age, sex, ethnicity and geographical locality. Exercise in Eastern Birmingham PCT'S Population - A Health Equity Audit (East Birmingham) HEA presenting the findings and subsequent actions for exercise levels and access to exercise opportunities.  The PCT has used this assessment to tailor its commissioning and promotion of schemes to improve physical activity in the population. Health Equity Profile: Access to secondary care services for breast cancer in West Yorkshire (YHPHO) This report aims to measure how recent service provision has reflected patterns of need in relation to four key dimensions: age, gender, socio-economic status and geography.  The report is intended primarily to inform cancer equity audit work at the West Yorkshire level. Cancer Equity Audit (Leeds NW PCT) This equity audit was started after it was hypothesised that NW Leeds patients with suspected cancer were waiting longer for diagnosis and treatment.  The profile considered geographical and socio-economic data relating to incidence, mortality, waiting times, stage at presentation and behavioural risks.  Recommendations for improving equity are also provided. Coronary Heart Disease in the West of Berkshire: A Health Equity Audit (West of Berkshire PCTs) This report aims to assist the PCTs in the West of Berkshire to understand what inequalities exist with regard to services for people with, or at increased risk of, coronary heart disease (CHD).  The report is intended to help PCTs develop their policies and prepare for the Healthcare Commission’s monitoring of their performance given that health equity audit is a performance indicator. Health equity audit – learning from practice briefing This briefing provides a summary of learning from three workshops on HEA, and examples of completed or near-completed HEAs to illustrate these learning points. SEPHO Lifestyle Survey Toolkit This website is in the style of a toolkit, offering a step-by-step guide on all aspects of conducting lifestyle surveys, from questionnaire design to sampling sizes.  The 'Resource Bank' is a useful section containing links to national and local surveys. Statistical Sample Size Calculator Online calculator for determining the number of people you must survey in order to accurately reflect your population. Social Survey Questions Database A 'bank' of various national/European social surveys. Data Archive UK Contains datasets from a wide variety of surveys such as HSfE, GHS, British Crime Survey and many more.  The site allows you to explore data and also enables you to produce online tabulations and charts. Regional Intelligence Unit - Basic Guide to Survey Methods Provides an overview of the key issues to consider when undertaking or commissioning survey research. Questionnaires and Survey Design Information on conducting and designing questionnaires and surveys.  Covers subjects such as qualities of a good question. Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) Information about Research Ethics Committees in the UK. Health Interview & Health Examination Surveys Database Inventory of nationally and internationally administered health surveys in EU Member States, EFTA countries and some countries of other regions (USA, Canada and Australia). Eurostat Browsable database of statistics including lifestyle data, from across Europe. CACI Contains information about lifestyle datasets available for purchase.  Includes Lifestyles UK, a database containing information on over 300 lifestyle selections on 44 million consumers in the UK and Acorn, a geodemographic tool containing 287 lifestyle variables. Experian Ltd Various data available through Experian such as Behavior Bank data onself reported interest, lifestyle and behaviours. Beacon Dodsworth geodemographic classification P² People & Places is a new geodemographic people classification from Beacon Dodsworth, that uses geography to classify people by where they live.  P² People & Places can tell you who your best customers are, and help you to find more like them.  This site gives you the chance to use P² People & Places online. You can use the site to profile areas and data. Claritas Various data products available, such as PRIZM which is built from lifestyle and geodemographic data at postcode level. Local Authorities Research and Intelligence Association (LARIA) Promotes the role and practice of research within the field of local government and provides a supportive network for those conducting or commissioning research. Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) ESRC is the UK's leading research funding and training agency addressing economic and social concerns. Centre for Applied Social Surveys (CASS) CASS is an Economic and Social Research Council resource centre run jointly by the National Centre for Social Research, the University of Southampton and the University of Surrey. National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) NatCen design, carry out and analyse research studies in the fields of social and public policy. Social Research Association (SRA) Organisation open to social research practitioners and trainees from all sectors, as well as others with an interest in social research. Guide to Reviewing Published Evidence for Use in Health Impact Assessment This guide provides a step-by-step framework to assist practitioners in reviewing literature for use in a HIA. Commissioning framework for health and well-being Commissioning for health and well-being means involving the local community to provide services that meet their needs, beyond just treating them when they are ill, but also keeping them healthy and independent. This framework is about action, with a particular focus on partnership. It is for everyone who can contribute to promoting physical and mental health and well-being, including the business community, government regional offices and the third sector. Strong and Prosperous Communities White Paper The paper from the Department for Communities and Local Government outlines the need for a joint assessment of the health and well-being needs of local communities by local councils and PCTs.  This assessment should support the commissioning of appropriate services for local people.