About
The Public Health Unit has statutory responsibilities under the NSW Public Health Act 2010 and associated regulations to protect the health of the Sydney Local Health District population regarding infectious diseases, environmental health, and immunisation.
The Unit has a key role in identifying and controlling issues of public health concern within the District.
History
In the Sydney area, the first public health programs occurred in 1788, with many government bodies responsible for the delivery of services. The administration of public health has been the responsibility of many bodies. Initially the responsibility of the Department of Public Health in 1904, administration then shifted to the Board of Health in the mid-1900s, before shifting again to the NSW Health Commission in 1973, and the NSW Department of Health in 1982.
The purpose of the Public Health Unit has remained relatively constant since its formation: to protect and monitor the health of the district’s population and to respond to any concerns that may threaten it.
Strategic Plan
Our Executive Team
The Public Health Unit consists of a multidisciplinary team of professionals from a range of backgrounds. This includes administration, immunisation, communicable diseases, environmental health, and epidemiology. The Public Health Unit works together to analyse and address public health concerns within the district.
| Clinical Director | Dr Leena Gupta |
|
General Manager |
Dr George Johnson |
| Deputy Clinical Director | Dr Isabel Hess |
| Operations Manager | Kylie Wright |
| Communicable Disease Staff Specialist | Dr Zeina Najjar |
| Immunisation Staff Specialist | Dr Johanne Cochrane |
| Communicable Diseases Team Manager | Andrew Ingleton |
| Environmental Health Team Manager | Jody Houston |
| Epidemiology Team Manager | David Kennedy |
| Immunisation Team Manager | Francesca Figg |