Wendy Meredith is responsible for the development of a unified Public health system that is critical to plans to deliver the greatest and fastest possible improvement to the health and well-being of the 2.8 million people of Greater Manchester (GM).
In her position as GM’s first Director of Population Health Transformation, which originates from the devolution of Health & Care to the city-region, Wendy works alongside senior figures from Public Health England, NHS England, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and other key stakeholders.
The key focus of the new GM public health system is prevention and early intervention. Her wide-ranging role sees her operate across the entire health and care economy, ensuring connections with other priority areas including early years and adult services, and with wider issues such as housing and employment.
Wendy’s previous roles have included Director of Public Health for Bolton Council, overseeing the successful transition of public health from the NHS under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the introduction of a number of acclaimed programmes including Starting Well (a new model of care for integrated early years services) and Staying Well (an asset based intervention programme for older people).
She also served as chair of the Greater Manchester Directors of Public Health Group, guiding the ten GM local authorities’ collaborative work to improve health outcomes for their residents through sector led improvement.
Other roles in a career that began in 1983 as an NHS Radiographer in Manchester and Salford have included Deputy Regional Director of Public Health for the North West of England, Director of Public Health for NHS Western Cheshire & Cheshire County Council and Director of Public Health for Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust.
Wendy Meredith is also a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health and holds a Masters Degree in Public Health. Her areas of specific interest include: children’s health and wellbeing; promoting well-being and good mental health; using asset-based approaches; creating conditions and environments which support flourishing communities; and developing a public health workforce to deliver new approaches to public health.
