Health role for both sides ofTyne
NEWCASTLE and Gateshead will share the same director of public health, the authorities have announced.
Alice Wiseman, currently leading public health in Gateshead, will take on a wider remit covering Newcastle from April 1.
She has held her role south of the Tyne since 2016 and been a leading advocate for the danger of alcohol and tobacco. She also played a leading role in the region’s Covid-19 response.
Ms Wiseman is vice-president of the Association of Directors of Public Health.
The shared role will initially be for a 12-month trial to allow both councils to assess how it works and it could then be made a permanent arrangement.
Ms Wiseman said: “Having grown up in the area, I know that the communities of Gateshead and Newcastle have always been closely connected and not just because people travel across the river for work, shopping, socialising and so on.
“We face many of the same public health challenges and there are lots of opportunities to align our work and share learning for the benefit of residents in both areas.
“The two councils already work
closely together and the new arrangement will help us to build on this, to make a bigger positive impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities.”
Coun Karen Kilgour, deputy leader and health and care cabinet lead at Newcastle City Council, said: “I’m really pleased to be able to welcome Alice as she begins this new role, delivering healthier communities in Newcastle, and tackling the health inequalities we see across parts of our city. Along with Alice and her team, we will ensure people have every opportunity to succeed at every stage of their life in Newcastle.
“Alice brings a wealth of experience to the role; she is somebody who has significant expertise on the factors affecting people’s health and wellbeing, with an in-depth understanding of the local context that our communities live in. Additionally, this joint approach will further improve the partnership we have with colleagues in Gateshead.
Her counterpart in Gateshead, Coun Bernadette Oliphant, added: “Since becoming director of public health in 2016, Alice has consistently demonstrated a real commitment to improving health and wellbeing. She is particularly passionate about tackling the unacceptable difference in healthy life expectancy between communities and I have no doubt that this commitment and passion will continue to benefit Gateshead.
“The dual role is expected to lead to more effective collaboration not only between the two councils, but also with other key partners. We have seen the benefits of partnership working during the pandemic, through our regional tobacco control programme and many other projects that support better health and wellbeing across Gateshead.”
The shared role will not change the fact that each council will have its own public health team – though both will now report to the same director. There will be deputy directors of public health at both councils to ensure there is enough leadership capacity.
An independent review during the year involving all stakeholders will inform the whether the move is made permanent.