Top praise for Blackburn health links
11:17am Thursday 4th October 2012 in News
DEVELOPMENTS in linking NHS and council public health initiatives in Blackburn with Darwen have been praised by the new national boss for the field.
Duncan Selbie, chief executive designate of Public Health England, has praised local developments in the borough following a visit.
He was given a tour by representatives of the council’s public health team which takes over responsibility in April, and the new GP Clinical Commissioning Group.
He visited the Johnston Street Pharmacy, a community chemist’s shop run by pharmacist Mukhtar Sharif which promotes healthy lifestyles by giving advice on topics like stopping smoking and self-care.
Mr Selbie said: “Mr Sharif was an advert for everything that community pharmacy has to offer. His team reaches into the whole community.”
Council director of public health Dominic Harrison said: “The close partnership by the local authority and the health services in the borough is quite rare and it is one we are very proud of, so for it to be recognised on a national scale is fantastic.
