We carry out public health responsibilities as a shared service for Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Our services and their performance are overseen by the Joint Public Health Board, a committee made up of councillors and representatives from both councils that make key decisions. 

Our work is split into four priority areas: 

Health Improvement  

Healthy lifestyle is a factor in most health outcomes, so we promote healthy behaviours to help people improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Work in this area includes supporting people to lead healthy lifestyles, access to sexual health services, support residents with drug and alcohol dependency and making sure each child gets the best start in life. 

Health Protection  

Health protection involves working to keep people safe from infectious diseases and other health hazards.

Healthy Places

The places in which we live, work and play have significant impact on our health and wellbeing. Our team supports both BCP and Dorset councils to ensure new developments promote health and wellbeing and uses opportunities to reduce health inequalities and we use public health expertise to inform policies such as active travel and climate change 

Healthcare Public Health 

Healthcare public health involves using our public health expertise and influence in the Integrated Care System (ICS) to improve access to and outcomes from health and care services. 

We work with partners to influence the development and delivery of wider prevention work, including the NHS Long Term Plan ambitions on smoking, alcohol and healthy weight in NHS settings. 

We play a key role in the new Integrated Care System, supporting the development of a new strategy, continue to work on the NHS health inequalities programme, and deliver an effective Joint Strategic Needs Assessment process for our Health and Wellbeing Boards.  

Within the councils, we work closely with teams responsible for improving physical activity through active and sustainable travel, better housing and ensuring access to improvements like insulation and heating, as well as important initiatives to reduce the prevalence of suicide and increase awareness of steps people can take for better mental health. We also work with colleagues in children's and adult's services to ensure a best start in life for children and families and promote greater independence and wellbeing in older life.