New Director of Public Health for the borough

Dr Jane Rossini

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) and Rochdale Borough Council are delighted to welcome Dr Jane Rossini as the borough’s new Director of Public Health.

Dr Rossini made the move over from Stockport where she spent six years as Deputy Director of Public Health and says she is all ready to take on her new role: “The borough has real health challenges, however this is changing and I see it as a great opportunity to influence this change and show real results."

Starting in her new role this week, Dr Rossini will lead the work on improving the health of everyone in the Rochdale borough including tackling obesity, reducing alcohol consumption, smoking cessation and helping people to live healthier lives.

“Sickness affects everyone at some point for various reasons including stress, poor housing, unemployment and poor access to health services, yet some illnesses are preventable and I really believe this is something we need to change and try to stop people getting ill in the first place.

“We are here to support people to make informed lifestyle choices, lead healthier lives and change their behaviour which makes them ill in the first place. We can enable people to have the skills to make the right health choices.”

Dr Rossini, who is originally from London, trained in medicine at Manchester Medical School. She has worked in the NHS since 1986 in various roles in hospitals, the community, mental health, children’s and general practice until specialising in public health in 1990. Jane has also previously worked as a Consultant in Public Health in Oldham, the town which became her home after graduating.

Dr Julie Higgins, Chief Executive at NHS HMR said: “I’m delighted to welcome Jane to the borough. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this important role in leading the NHS and council in working together to reduce health inequalities and improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in the borough.

Roger Ellis, Chief Executive of Rochdale Borough Council added: "We're delighted to welcome Jane in her new role. She is very experienced with a long string of successes and I'm very much looking forward to working with her and seeing what she can bring to the borough. Our public health goals are at the heart of the council agenda as we work to improve the wellbeing of our residents."

Dr Rossini is married with two boys, aged 18 and 16 years and likes getting out and about in the surrounding area, seeing it as a ‘gem of natural resources with an abundant source of outdoor activities.’