Public health services are understaffed, and organisations are struggling to recruit. In addition, retention of the public health workforce is a concern. This adds pressure to staff already in post and stretches the workforce to its limits. We asked our members, who range from addiction support officers and food safety trainers to community health champions and school nurses, about this.

This is the third post in a series which sets out the issues the workforce is facing and what can be done to address them, after the first and second posts in the series.

Whilst our members shared their concerns, they also suggested solutions that would support the workforce:

If you have any questions, talk to Dr Fernanda Aguilar Perez on [email protected]

This week, 3-7 October, RSPH launched the first annual Public Health Workforce Week to recognise and celebrate the public health workforce's tireless contribution to public health and wellbeing. Find out more.