Gloucestershire County Council has appointed Siobhan Farmer as the county's new director of public health.

She was appointed by the council's cross-party appointments sub-committee.

Siobhan joined the county council as deputy director of public health seven weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic, and quickly established herself as a key member of the public health team, which did so much to help protect communities across the county against Covid-19.

Following recent announcements in relation to adult social care reform, including the introduction of the care cap and the reintroduction of an inspection regime for adult social care, the re-establishment of the director of public health role will allow Sarah Scott, executive director for adult social care, to provide strategic oversight for the entire adult social care and public health portfolio, in preparation for a period of significant change.

Sarah will also continue to play a key role in the wider health and care system. Siobhan will take on the statutory duties required of a director of public health and oversee the delivery of the range of public health responsibilities.

Siobhan will start her new role in July, when her existing role, deputy director of public health, will be deleted.

Siobhan will build on the work of Sarah and the public health team to help the county tackle the wider agenda of levelling up within local communities.