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Intelligence Hubs

Using the tabs below, find out more information on SWPHO's Intelligence Hubs, which aim to provide information and analysis about a specific area of public health work to assist practictioners, policy-makers and researchers. By clicking on the images under each section a new window will open displaying the relevant Intelligence Hub.
To make navigation easier, you can close or open each section below by clicking on the blue title. For general information about any of the Intelligence Hubs, please email SWPHO Communications. For more specific information on individual hubs, please find contact details under each section below.
Healthy Weight for Children Hub
The Healthy Weight for Children Hub is part of a larger programme of work, 'Targeted Interventions for Child Weight Management', which was set up in response to the increasing numbers of overweight and obese children in the South West region. This overarching programme is managed by the Government Office for the South West and funded by the Chief Medical Officer.
Recent research from the Foresight programme has shown that modern lifestyles are a fundamental factor in the rising levels of obesity, with poor diet and a lack of physical activity causing most people to become heavier than they should be.
"Few obesity prevention interventions have been shown to be effective in children. Comprehensive strategies that tackle diet and physical activity as well as providing psychosocial support and environmental change may help prevent obesity." (Kipping et al, 2008)
The Healthy Weight for Children Hub is an interactive information network designed to improve access to the latest available evidence and best practice in the South West. The main aims of the Hub are to:
  • raise awareness and promote healthy weight in children
  • bring people together to share experiences and enable discussion
  • provide timely and relevant resources and information.
End of Life Network
The National End of Life Care Intelligence Network (NEoLCIN) aims to improve the collection and analysis of information related to the quality, volume and costs of care provided by the NHS, social services and the third sector, to adults approaching the end of life. This intelligence will help drive improvements in the quality and productivity of services. The Network is supported by the National End of Life Care Programme.
Skin Cancer Hub
The Skin Cancer Hub has been developed as part of the Skin Cancer Prevention Initiative, funded by the National Cancer Action Team and led by the South West Public Health Observatory (SWPHO). The SWPHO leads on the analysis and collection of skin cancer data on behalf of the UK Association of Cancer Registries.
The Skin Cancer Hub is designed to help inform and support professionals and the public about skin cancer prevention and early diagnosis. It includes:
  • Skin cancer profiles to provide comparative data for each Local Authority and Primary Care Trust across the country;
  • a Commissioning toolkit for health professionals, which offers a quick and user-friendly guide to setting up prevention and early diagnosis programmes;
  • information and guidance on Social Marketing strategies to help people change their behaviour and reduce their skin cancer risk;
  • information on what to do if you are Worried about skin cancer; and
  • has links to hundreds of Resources which together build a useful library for those needing more detailed information on specific aspects of skin cancer or who want a broad overview of the skin cancer prevention and early diagnosis field.
For more information, please contact skincancerhub@swpho.nhs.uk
Urological Cancer Hub
The Urological Cancer Hub was developed on behalf of the National Cancer Intelligence Network by the South West Public Health Observatory (SWPHO). SWPHO leads on the analysis and collection of urological cancer data on behalf of the UK Association of Cancer Registries.
There are several cancers which are grouped together as the urological cancers:
  • Bladder cancer 
  • Kidney cancer 
  • Prostate cancer 
  • Cancers of the ureter and renal pelvis 
  • Testicular cancer 
  • Penile cancer.
The Urological Cancer Hub is designed to help support and inform professionals and the public about the current picture and past trends of urological cancers in England. It includes:
  • Urological Cancer Profiles to provide comparative data for each Local Authority, Primary Care Trust and Cancer Network across England;
  • factsheets on each major urological cancer, with summary statistics and detailed analysis of incidence, mortality and survival;
  • links to information for those concerned about urological cancers;
  • details of current research and projects in the field;
  • analysis produced by the SWPHO, such as posters, presentations and reports;
  • links to evidence and guidance for professionals.
For more information, please contact urologicalcancerhub@swpho.nhs.uk.