Our public health and communities team play a key role in creating the conditions for people to live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
The work we do centres on improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of the local population and creating vibrant, stronger and safer communities.
We aim to reduce health inequalities by tackling the unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes between different population groups and communities in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
As part of our public health responsibility, we analyse data and produce reports, plans, strategies, evidence reviews and needs assessments to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of residents.
Our priorities
We have 5 main priorities.
Health improvement
Giving children and young people the best start in life and supporting adults to live and age well.
Health protection
Keeping people safe from infectious diseases and other health hazards.
Health intelligence and healthcare public health
Using our public health expertise and influence to shape and improve outcomes from local health and care services, helping people access the care they need.
Healthy places and wellbeing
Where we live, work and play affects our health. We influence policies and planning to make sure our built and natural environments support our population to live and age well.
Vibrant, stronger and safer communities
We work with partners to create vibrant, stronger and safer communities where people can thrive.
Statutory public health services
By law, we are responsible for providing and commissioning the following mandatory services:
- National Child Measurement Programme
- sexual health services
- NHS health checks
- children’s public health nursing
- providing public health advice to the NHS
We also commission services that help people make positive changes to their health and wellbeing, such as specialist drug and alcohol services and stop smoking support.
Working together to improve and protect health
We collaborate with teams across BCP Council, the NHS, and voluntary and community organisations to improve and protect health in our communities. As part of this, we support and contribute to BCP Council's Health and Wellbeing Board and help develop the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, using shared priorities and evidence from the JSNA to shape and implement local action.
Some of the key public health services cover the county of Dorset and are jointly commissioned and managed by the Public Health and Communities Directorate at BCP Council and the Public Health and Prevention Directorate at Dorset Council.
Public health training
We’re also a recognised training location for the Public Health Specialty Training Programme, helping to develop the next generation of public health consultants. For more information, visit the Faculty of Public Health website.
For more information about training with BCP Council, visit the Severn Postgraduate Medical Education website.
Contact us
To contact the public health team, email publichealth-enquiries@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.