Council to consider new Director of Public Health appointment

A former nurse who has worked in public health across the world will be recommended as the new Director of Public Health in Cheshire West and Chester.

Subject to approval by Full Council on 13 July, Professor Helen Bromley will replace Ian Ashworth, who recently took up the position of Director of Population Health at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside.

Helen’s career began in nursing. From there she moved into academic and international public health, working in some of the world’s poorest regions for more than 20 years.

Helen joined Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2013 as a Consultant in Public Health and was recently appointed as interim Director of Public Health to cover the role, pending arrangements for permanent recruitment.

She has also been a Visiting Professor at the University of Chester since 2014.

Cllr Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health), said:

“There was an extensive and rigorous recruitment process to find our new Director of Public Health.

“All the way through this Helen demonstrated her great experience in Public Health, her leadership and her ambitions to build on the positive relationships that the Council already has with health services and other partners in the borough.”

Helen said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as the Director of Public Health for Cheshire West and Chester.

“I’m passionate about maximising the health and wellbeing of our residents and reducing health and social inequalities across the borough.

“These will remain my priorities as Director of Public Health, and I am looking forward to working closely with teams and services across the entire Council, as well as external partners to achieve this.”

Pictured - Professor Helen Bromley will be recommended as the new Director of Public Health in Cheshire West and Chester.