NHS Wandsworth has appointed a neonatal and cancer expert as the new Director of Public Health.

Houda Al-Sharifi will leave her current post at NHS Richmond to start the job later this year.

She is known for her work across the sector in cancer screening and neonatal hearing screening and it is hoped she will bring about improvements to the way public health programmes are rolled out.

Ann Radmore, chief executive of NHS Wandsworth, said: "Houda has over 20 years public health experience both in and outside the NHS.

"She led a thriving team in Richmond with an outstanding track record of improving people’s health.

"We look forward to Houda joining the teams here in Wandsworth and building on our recent successes in public health to further drive down health inequalities and in supporting people to live longer, healthier lives.”