Survey of local immunisation training in England--the case for setting national standards.
In June 2003 a questionnaire on immunisation training was sent to the 302 primary care trusts (PCTs) in England to ascertain the frequency and content of immunisation training being offered to healthcare professionals. Fifty-four per cent of the 227 trusts (75%) who replied were concerned about their ability to deliver an immunisation programme. Contributing factors included the lack of a designated training lead, shortage of specialist input, available time, and funding. Of PCTs, 33/219 (15%) were not providing immunisation training sessions for practice nurses, 28/219 (13%) for health visitors, and 30/219 (14%) for school nurses; 67/219 (31%) had no sessions organised for general practitioners. Most 138/175 (79%) PCTs would welcome the introduction of some national minimum standards for immunisation training to assist them in setting up and maintaining a programme, and allocating sufficient resources to it.
Cummins
A
A
Essex Health Protection Unit, 8 Collingwood Road, Witham, Essex CM8 2TT. amelia-cummins@essexhpa.nhs.uk
Lane
L
L
Boccia
D
D
Crowcroft
N S
NS
D004739:England; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D011320:Primary Health Care