Dr Helen Walters

Senior public health practice leadership

Dr Helen Walters is Public Health Consultant Advisor to the Public Health Research Programme for NIHR working at the national coordinating centre in Southampton University. She focuses on the identification, prioritisation and commissioning of research that is relevant to Public Health practice, particularly in local government. She recently wrote a report for Prof Chris Whitty, DHSC Chief Scientific Officer, on how to encourage and enable local government to use and undertake public health research.

Helen brings extensive experience of coal-face Public Health practice having led the Health Team in the Mayor of London’s office. Prior to this she was Director of Public Health for the City of Westminster, jointly appointed between the City Council and the NHS Primary Care Trust. Helen was a Consultant in Public Health in Portsmouth, has been a GP partner and served as an elected member in her district council. Helen is the Tobacco lead for the Faculty of Public Health and a trustee of ASH and of St Mungo’s.