Bristol City Council appoints Director of Public Health

Becky Pollard has been appointed as Bristol City Council’s new Director of Public Health and will be starting in her new role on 16 February within the Neighbourhoods Directorate.

Becky is an experienced Director of Public Health with almost 30 years’ experience of developing and delivering public health interventions in a variety of settings. She previously worked for NHS North Somerset before leading on the integration of Public Health within North Somerset Council. She has also worked for Severn Deanery and Suffolk Health Authority where she set up the county’s first multi-agency health partnership.

Becky has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of the West of England.

Alison Comley, Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods said: “Becky brings great energy and enthusiasm to drive forward the public health agenda within the city and a commitment to reducing health inequalities and improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Bristol’s citizens.”

Becky said: “I am delighted to be taking up this role and am committed in particular to tackling the root causes of inequalities in health, building a strong and effective public health function within the council to deliver key public health programmes and working closely with our local partners through the Health and Wellbeing Board.”

Key priorities will be to increase physical activity and uptake of NHS health checks, reduce uptake of smoking, reduce harm from excess alcohol use, tackle obesity, promote good sexual health and five ways to better mental health.

Becky adds: “I believe in making healthier choices easier choices by helping people to take control of their own health and wellbeing through providing information and support services alongside creating healthier environments.”

Past significant achievements include:

• Putting health inequalities firmly in the local agenda in North Somerset resulting in further investment in a number of new initiatives in the Weston area with the greatest health need. This has supported a local health trainer service, tobacco control activities, NHS health check services and support for the For All Healthy Living Centre to run community-based public health programmes.
• Expanding community alcohol services in North Somerset.
• Increasing the uptake of flu vaccination from one of the worst rates in the South West to some of the best, particularly in health care workers at Weston Hospital and in pregnant women.
• Increasing access to sexual health services through negotiation with Weston Hospital to open a Saturday service.
• Securing £1million for regional public health workforce development and training from the Health Education South West.