Peterborough's director of public health to retire in April

Dr Robin will step down from the post at the end of April, having delayed her retirement plans so she could continue to lead public health through the challenging winter period.

Dr Robin, 60, who became the first joint director of Public Health for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in 2015 had been due to retire in January.

“My successor will be joining a fantastic team, which has worked tirelessly to support communities across the area to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infection, and to bring outbreaks under control when they occur,” she said.

“Until April I will continue in my role with all the energy and effort that I have given to it throughout my time as Director of Public Health – which has never been more necessary than during the past year.”

Cllr Peter Hudson, Chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Health Committee said:” I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Liz. It’s been fantastic to work with such a brilliant Director of Public Health. Her commitment to her role and her leadership during this COVID-19 pandemic has been second to none, and involved her and her team in long hours of challenging work, which is set to continue for some months to come. When she reaches her retirement she will be greatly missed.”

Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Public Health at Peterborough City Council added: “I would personally like to thank Dr Robin for all the hard work and dedication she has put in during her long career as a public health professional. It should be noted, particularly during this horrible pandemic, that she has gone above and beyond, doing a great job to help keep people safe. Liz has been a dedicated Public Health ambassador for many years and I’m sure she will go on to enjoy many more happy years when she reaches her retirement. I know all the team here at Peterborough City Council would want to wish her well for the future, as do I.”

Dr Robin – who was born and educated in Cambridgeshire trained in medicine at Oxford University and Westminster Medical School and after working as a hospital doctor went on to train in public health in East London.

She became Director of Public Health for East Cambridgeshire and Fenland in 2002, for Cambridgeshire in 2006, and was then appointed joint Director of Public Health for both Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in 2015. Since when she has led a local authority public health team which provides specialist public health advice to local Councils and NHS organisations, commissions front line public health services, and works with a range of organisations and communities to protect the health of local residents.