I have been an advocate of public health in local government for a long time, but the last year has demonstrated the importance of place-based local public health more than ever. I have felt privileged to have led the COVID-19 response in Lambeth, seeing local government at its best, responding rapidly to local needs and challenges.

Since the move from the NHS in 2013, Lambeth LBC has maintained and developed a core public health team which enabled us to react swiftly to support the pandemic response. We have an integrated system with the local NHS providers and commissioners which puts us in a good starting position to quickly share knowledge, learning and intelligence