Alison Bell- Public Health Expert (participant)

Alison worked clinically in the NHS for four years before undertaking almost a decade of humanitarian work in complex emergency settings. Alison returned to the UK to undertake her postgraduate medical training in Public Health in the South West and since qualifying as a consultant in public health fifteen years ago, she has worked in public health teams in both the NHS and local government.

More recently, Alison has worked for Somerset Council, initially leading on child and maternal health and then on health protection.

Alison has now taken on the role of Interim Director Public Health (DPH) which oversees delivery of Somerset Council’s public health functions as outlined in the National Health Service Act 2006 and its associated regulations. The Interim Director will also serve as the lead officer for public health within the local authority and across the health and care system, championing health initiatives across all areas of the Integrated Care Board. In line with the guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on the roles and responsibilities of Directors of Public Health, there will be a continued focus on ensuring that our population’s health is improved and that as a system we look to tackle the widening inequalities.