England's first health commissioner is appointed

South Yorkshire has become the first place in England to appoint a regional health commissioner.

Former Barnsley Council Leader Sir Steve Houghton has taken on the role with the aim of tackling inequalities, improving people's health and joining up services.

He is expected to oversee the health portfolio on behalf of South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and will bring together the NHS, local government, the voluntary sector and wider public services.

The government has previously said it was keen to give more power to mayors and devolved regions and chose South Yorkshire as a pilot location for the new model because it had significant health inequalities.

People in Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham spend about five to six fewer years in good health than the England average, according to the Office for National Statistics, while healthy life expectancy can vary by as much as 20 years between the region's most and least affluent communities.

Poor health also prevents many people from entering, remaining in or returning to work.

As the new deputy mayor for health, Sir Steve will look at how employment, housing, skills, transport and environment can have an impact.

He said: "Good health shouldn't be a privilege. It shouldn't depend on your postcode, your income, or the community you grow up in.

"We've made real progress in South Yorkshire by bringing services closer to people and focusing on prevention, but there's much more to do.

"What's exciting about the role is the opportunity to bring together everyone who has a part to play in improving health, from the NHS and councils to community groups and local employers.

"I'll be focused from day one on helping more people stay healthy, stay independent and stay in or return to work to create stronger communities."

Sir Steve led Barnsley Council for nearly 30 years until Reform UK took control in May's local elections.

He was involved in the Health on the High Street initiative, which brought healthcare services directly into Barnsley town centre at the Glass Works, and the development of the Alhambra Health and Wellbeing Hub.

The programme has seen breast screening attendance rise by 22% and missed appointments cut by a quarter.

Coppard said Sir Steve understood the challenges more than anyone.

"Devolution gives us the chance to take more control over the things that shape people's lives here, because the right solutions for Battersea or Blackpool won't be right for Barnsley," he explained.

"Devolution gives us the power to do things differently, bringing decisions closer to our communities and giving us a stronger voice over how we improve health and wellbeing across South Yorkshire.

"Sir Steve is widely seen as the best local government leader of his generation."

The announcement was made at the official opening of The Spark by Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust.

The £24m facility is home to the National Centre for Child Health Technology which is aimed at transforming how healthcare is designed and delivered for children and young people.

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