Deputy Director for Health Improvement, South West

The post of Deputy Director Health Improvement is a senior level post, suitable for a highly experienced public health professional. It is a great opportunity to join the South West regional public health team at the heart of implementing new government and NHS policies and collaborating with dynamic local systems in a diverse and vibrant region.

Based primarily in the regional OHID office in Bristol, the role spans the South West region including Bath, Wiltshire, Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Devon and Dorset, working with 7 ICS systems, colleagues in UKHSA SW regional team and an excellent network of local authority Directors of Public Health and their teams.

The Deputy Director Health Improvement takes the regional lead on enabling and moving at pace key national priorities to tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes, as well as a key regional role on workforce development., The post holder has day-to-day operational responsibility for the provision of safe and effective health improvement and workforce development advice and support which delivers to high quality standards and which is responsive to the needs of the local community and partners in the local public health systems. They are responsible for managing the health improvement and workforce development staff who deliver the functions devolved to Region from the Secretary of State and the functions that the Region undertakes from national guidance and in agreement with local partners.

The Deputy Director supports the Regional Director in the strategic oversight of the contribution to improving and protecting the publics health and reducing health inequalities in the South West region. The Deputy Director supports the Regional Director in working with partners in the South West to build and develop the local public health system through the provision of expert advice and insight and their operational responsibility for the delivery of the health improvement and workforce development functions.

The candidate must have a strong commitment to Public Health principles and team working. They must be self-motivated, pro-active and innovative and demonstrate high standards of professional probity as well as have the ability to prioritise work, working well against a background of change and uncertainty. They must be adaptable to situations and, able to handle people of all capabilities and attitudes and be a sensible negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achieved.

The Office of Health and Disparities (OHID) in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) drives the Governments health improvement agenda. Under the professional leadership of the Chief Medical Officer, OHID leads the development and delivery of the Governments work to improve and level up health outcomes with a clear focus on public health, prevention and health disparities. This includes cross-government action on the wider determinants of health.