Published Friday 15 October 2021 at 16:44
Prof Dominic Harrison, Director of Public Health for Blackburn with Darwen, has confirmed his decision to retire from Blackburn with Darwen Council at the end of March 2022.
Dominic joined the Council in 2013 when Public Health became a statutory local authority function.
He brought with him experience from roles in the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Department of Health within Government Office Northwest, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Over the last eight years, Dominic has been an unfalteringly passionate champion for raising health inequality issues at a regional and national level, always with the best interests of Blackburn with Darwen residents always at the top of his agenda.
Coun Damian Talbot, Executive Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, commented:
I know that Dom considered retiring a couple of years ago when he turned 60. I am very thankful that he didn’t retire then and we have had the huge benefit of his expertise and wisdom throughout the Covid pandemic.
During the last 19 months, Dom has fiercely fought Blackburn with Darwen’s corner, to ensure any restrictions introduced in the borough would be effective in reducing additional risks to residents, and to challenge the government on policy decisions where necessary.
His leadership has been invaluable and I have no doubt that his expertise, wisdom and sharp judgement have steered the borough’s course through the pandemic and influenced national policy, helping to prevent more families losing loved ones to Covid.
On a personal note, I will miss working with him but, of course, wish him the very best for a long and happy retirement.
Dominic will remain in his current role for the next five and half months.
Prof Harrison, who will be aged 62 at the time of his retirement, said:
I have stayed in work longer than I might have done in order to contribute to the pandemic response. It’s been a very challenging time, but also one of the most rewarding periods of my career and I’ve been proud to be Blackburn with Darwen’s Director of Public Health during Covid.
My priority up to March 2022 will be to do all I can to enable our residents to have the best possible life chances for the future. I’m committed to working towards ensuring Blackburn with Darwen has a robust, resilient and appropriately funded and staffed public health service for the future, and I will support the Council to continue and strengthen its focus on health inequalities, particularly working with the NHS Marmot Health Equity Review for Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Recruitment to appoint Prof Harrison’s successor will commence in the next few weeks.
Coun Mohammed Khan CBE, Leader of the Council, added:
There’s no doubt about it, Dom’s going to be a very hard act to follow. Aside from being a highly knowledgeable and well-respected public health expert, he is a fantastic communicator – and a wonderful man.
We have been very fortunate to have had Dom on our team for the last eight years.
Dominic’s immediate plans for the future include spending more time with his family and enjoying his interests including long distance walking.