Can you tell us about your current role and where you work?

I work for DHSC in the Office Health Improvement & Disparities. In the NW regional team, I lead on the Healthy Weight and Physical Activity agenda. Working closely with Local Authorities, ICB and partner organisations across sectors the aim is to tackle health inequalities, supporting people to lead a healthier lifestyle. There is a lot of partnership working that connects national policy and programmes locally, sharing best practice, providing evidence, insight and encouraging collaboration for whole system and place-based approaches.

What is your favourite part of your role?

It has variety- meeting and working with lots of people and organisations in different places. Colleagues are generally very passionate, and it is motivating to support the development of Public Health interventions that benefit local people and communities. 

Can you give us an overview of your career path into public health and what support could have helped with this?

Starting in the private sector in Health & Fitness I went into the NHS in an Exercise Specialist and Community Development role. I did an MSc in PH while working and then moved into strategy and policy for Manchester City Council, mainly on Active Travel before going back to the NHS in Primary Care. I then worked as a Public Health Manager in another Local Authority before my current role.

In your role, how do you support/improve the public’s health and wellbeing?

By providing experience, advice and guidance, evidence, insight, best practice, bringing colleagues together and occasionally much needed resource. 

What are the biggest challenges you are facing within your role right now?

A lack of resource and direction. Shorter term plans, pilots and projects are ineffective so we must think and invest in longer term and more solid solutions. 

What area(s) of public health are you the most passionate about?

Interventions that help to increasing levels of Physical Activity / Movement

Raising awareness of and tackling the Commercial Determinants of Health

What advice would you give to someone considering joining the wider public health workforce?

Get experience of working in communities and with people that need it the most on a topic you are passionate about.

What do you think the next 10 years looks like for public health?

Overall, I think it will be more positive than the last decade and hopefully, with more resource. I expect greater focus to understand and tackle The Commercial Determinants of Health, facing challenges and unintended consequences of weight loss drugs coming to market and more reliance on technology to improve health outcomes.