THE Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust has appointed a director of public health.

Dr Tricia Cresswell, who has worked in public health since 1993, will take up her post on January 20.

She will work with communities and lead programmes to improve health and well-being.

Her job will entail working with local councils and agencies to forge a "joint approach'' to tackle health problems.

She was associate director of the Northern and Yorkshire Public Health Observatory, based at Durham University's Stockton campus, for whom she will still work a few sessions a week.

Dr Cresswell qualified as a doctor in 1979 and has worked as a GP, in general surgery, ear, nose and throat surgery and services for children with hearing problems.

She has worked in public health medicine since 1993 and was public health director for the former Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority between 1998 and 2001.

Dr Cresswell said: "I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to work in Durham and Chester-le-Street and look forward to the challenge of working with all parts of the local community to help make significant improvements in health.

"I am particularly excited by the strong emphasis on public involvement and participation in Durham and Chester-le-Street to which I hope to bring a focus on ensuring equitable provision and access to local health services."

Trust chief executive Andrew Young said: "I am absolutely delighted that Dr Cresswell has been appointed to this important post. Tricia has a wealth of experience in public health medicine and I look forward to working with her when she starts her new role in delivering the challenging health improvement agenda for Durham and Chester-le-Street.

"Tricia will undoubtedly make a huge contribution to the work of the PCT board and executive committee."