A SENIOR health official from the region has been appointed as the Centre Director for Public Health England in the North East.

Professor Peter Kelly joined PHE this month having previously been the Director of Public Health for Stockton Borough Council for four years.

Previous to this he was a Director of Public Health for 11 years in various NHS posts in the North East, including two years as Acting Regional Director of Public Health.

The 54-year-old said: “This role is a really exciting opportunity to influence, protect and improve all aspects of people’s health in the North East.

“I’m also delighted to be able to continue the excellent working relationships with colleagues in the local authority and NHS to whom we provide specialist support and advice when dealing with infectious diseases, chemical and radiation hazards and emergency incidents.”

In his new role, he will lead the provision of high quality, responsive expert public health service to support the work of local authorities and NHS partners in the North East, with a specific focus on the transformational role of the health and wellbeing boards.

He will also coordinate PHE’s local activities to improve health outcomes for people across the North East.