Episode 4 of our special series in partnership with the Faculty of Public Health where we explore one key question - What is Public Health?

It may seem like a simple question, but Public Health is no single thing. The aim of the series is to shine a light on the breadth of Public Health and the challenges ahead by talking to key figures in the field.

This episode we sat down with Professor Yvonne Doyle. Yvonne is a medical doctor by background with over 30 years experience in public health and has worked across a range of senior leadership roles across the NHS, Department of Health, UKHSA and academia.

Between 2013 and 2019 she was appointed Director of Public Health for London and was the Statutory Health Advisor to two London Mayors. In 2016 she was awarded a CB for her contribution to improving public health.

In 2019 she was appointed as the medical director and Director of Health Protection for Public Health England and played a pivotal role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 she was appointed as the first NHS medical director for public health. And in April last year she partially retired but has maintained an active role in public health across the system.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Teaser and introduction

03:41 Yvonne's career

06:25 What is Public Health?

08:03 Local-regional-national public health leadership

10:27 The importance of DPHs in the public health system

12:53 Developing public health leadership skills

14:34 Values driving leadership

17:11 Integrity in public health leadership

19:05 Leading during chaos

22:54 Communication skills in public health

28:13 Social-media and public health

30:42 Public health challenges ahead

34:30 System integration in public health

37:18 Public health system design

41:42 Advocating for better systems integration in public health

42:52 One career tip and end