Bolton Council Public Health Director to leave role

Dr Helen Lowey will leave her role in October to take up a new position with the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.

Dr Lowey led bolton through the emergency response working during the pandemic and helped the borough battle through when it had the highest infection rates in the country.

Her work along with other Bolton agencies received national attention on how to reduce infection rates.

Dr Lowey has more than 20 years experience as a chief officer and senior manager in the NHS and local government, with her career predominately focusing on Public Health and tackling inequalities.

READ: Bolton Public Health boss gets her vaccination

She said: “From the day I was appointed almost four years ago in 2019 it has been an absolute honour and privilege to undertake this fantastic and rewarding role.

“It has clearly been unprecedented times for the past two years for anyone in public health but even in our greatest of public health challenges, everyone around me has shown immense leadership and strong teamwork at a time when we have all needed it."

“I am amazingly proud of Team Bolton and the community ethos that has guided our response to Covid-19.”

Dr Helen Lowey with Dr Jenny Harries (chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency) last year. Picture by Julie Lomax

Helen received the Faculty of Public Health’s President Gold Medal for her Inspirational Leadership during 2021.

She also took time to temporarily transfer to other settings to extend her knowledge and competence, including a national role as a Civil Servant leading on preventing Childhood Aversity and Trauma, and for a local integration organisation as Deputy Professional Care Lead.

READ: How Bolton 'turned the curve' to bring down covid infection rate ­

Tony Oakman, Chief Executive of Bolton Council said: "Helen is highly respected across Greater Manchester and the wider public health community.

“We are all grateful for the two decades of public service Helen has dedicated to the community and for her leadership in public health during that time.

“We wish her well in her new role and future endeavours.”

Dr Helen Lowey

In her new role, Dr Lowey will provide senior expertise to influence across a range of organisations and settings and represent the GM-wide public health agenda in relation to police, fire and crime to support integration.

She will also be leading on domestic abuse, adverse childhood Experiences and trauma across other parts of the country.

Bolton Council will now begin the process to recruit a new director of public health.