After years of working in clinical settings, I have come to realise that my impact is limited when focusing solely on individual patients or small groups. Engaging in population-level interventions has proven to be more strategic, expansive and rewarding, prompting my interest in public health. Public health encompasses a wide range of activities, including disease prevention, health promotion and health protection.

My experience in population health interventions began with enhancing nutrition screening and education and improving referral processes to dietitians, whilst working in care homes for the elderly. This involved collaboration with essential stakeholders, including primary care referrers, local councils, social workers, care home staff and patients. By reviewing and enhancing the referral pathways in care homes, we achieved more appropriate referrals and improved nutritional care for residents, coupled with better training facilitated by the local council, which incorporated mandatory training into contracts. This approach also considers broader health determinants and environmental factors, aiming to mitigate health inequalities and enhance access for various populations.

In my initial position in Scotland, I collaborated with Dietetic Manager, Jacqueline Walker, in Moray, who takes a Healthcare Public Health approach in dietetic services. I contributed to a project assessing a new digital resource developed by Health Improvement Scotland called the Right Decision Service – Prevent the Progress of Diabetes (Project 1). This approach emphasises the quality and accessibility of NHS healthcare services through a population-centric lens.

The three projects I have worked on are particularly exciting, as they leverage digital innovations in public health interventions across Scotland.