EHJ June 2003, page 164   Click here for 'Leading the Way' in which Nick Warburton looks at the new health agenda in Wales

When the people of Wales voted narrowly for Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) with limited devolved powers in 1999, there was much gazing into crystal balls to second guess what effect the Assembly would have on the public health agenda. Few but the most far seeing of commentators could have foreseen the divergence between Wales and the rest of the UK in the delivery of public health and the emerging opportunities for the profession that this has brought.

The inception of local health boards (LHBs), which will deliver health, social care and wellbeing is unique to Wales. The number of environmental health practitioners (EHPs) on these boards as local authority representatives was initially limited and disappointing, given the pivotal public health role that the LHBs will play. However, as the value of our expertise is being recognised, EHPs are being co-opted onto LHBs to assist them in discharging their public health function. This acknowledgement of our expertise is encouraging, and goes a considerable way to meeting the challenge that CIEH Cymru Wales has set itself through its adoption of the 2012 - Vision statement for Wales.

The National Public Health Service is also unique to Wales and is already gazed upon with jealous eyes by professional colleagues outside the principality, who see it as the epitome of joined-up working, and as it is already demonstrating, a powerful ally to the profession. Much credit for the advancement of the public health agenda lies with the chief medical officer, Dr Ruth Hall, who recognises the value of the work done by EHPs within local authorities and has acknowledged its importance. At the Welsh study course last year, Dr Hall told delegates that she believed that EHPs are as "important as doctors" in delivering the public health agenda, and our members increasing involvement with LHBs, local health alliances and with networks such as Communities First supports this belief.

In seeking to influence the WAG agenda, the CIEH has responded to all relevant consultation documents that the Assembly has issued, taking forward the views of members and seeking to offer constructive public health solutions. Our increasing profile has resulted in invitations to join reference groups, such as that considering specialist public health practitioner training in Wales on behalf of WAG, and to work with partner organisations in the drafting of a public health strategy for Wales.

Despite all of this, however, it cannot be said that everything in the Welsh garden is rosy. The pressures on EHPs remain - lack of resources, pressures from external agencies to meet targets leading to distortion of effort, and emerging public health issues, such as illegal slaughter, that demand instant and resource intensive responses are familiar frustrations.

Recruitment is a also crucial issue in Wales, as is retention of staff. The challenge that such problems present has not diminished as the opportunities bestowed by the public health agenda have emerged.

What is clear however, is that EHPs are seen as key players in taking forward the public health agenda in Wales and the role of the CIEH in promoting the profession in Wales expands on an almost daily basis. We are now in the position of runners in the marathon. If we slow to a walk for even a short time, other runners will overtake us and it will require enormous effort to reclaim the place we now hold and even more to push ahead. We are making progress. We now need to redouble our efforts in the interest of the profession and of public health in Wales.

Julie Barratt is director of CIEH Wales