A NEW head of public health for the North West has been appointed - three months after her predecessor walked out in protest at Government red tape.

Dr Ruth Hussey has been appointed regional director of public health for NHS North West, a new body which oversees all NHS services in the region. Her role is to encourage people to live healthier lifestyles, and ensure people get access to the right services.

She replaces Professor John Ashton who quit in June with a stinging attack on the Government.

He said the North West "still hasn't got a proper public health system" because authorities kept being changed.

In the last six months, two primary care trusts, an ambulance trust, and a strategic health authority, which cover East Lancashire have been merged into bigger authorities.

Dr Hussey admitted a lot had to be done. She said: "The North West needs to have robust public health systems in place, where all partners play a part in improving health. We need to involve front-line staff and also listen to the public voice. That is how we are going to drive up improvements."

She said alcohol abuse was a growing factor in why the region's health has long been worse than most other parts of the UK.

Dr Hussey said: "With alcohol we are about 30 years behind where we are with changing public perceptions and attitudes when compared with smoking. Alcohol is a major threat now and we are seeing increased death rates linked to excess alcohol use."

She added: "We need to move to a position where the North West is known for having the best health in the country. To do that requires belief that the change can happen and a commitment to take the necessary steps."

Dr Hussey was formerly director of health strategy at Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority, one of three SHAs which merged to form NHS North West.

She is married to a GP, who practices in Liverpool, and holds honorary positions at the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University. She is also a governor of Liverpool College, and an honorary vice-president of a charity which aims to improve the health of people in Africa.