About
Who we are
We are Public Health South Tees, a team that works to ensure Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland are places where people live longer, healthier and happier lives.
We care about the health and well-being of everyone who lives, works, studies or spends time in South Tees. Our job is to understand what affects people’s health and wellbeing, taking action to make things better. We work with others to make our communities safer, fairer and healthier places to live, help prevent illness and support our communities to thrive.
Our focus
We work on behalf of both Middlesbrough Council and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, and we work closely with health professionals, our South and North Tees NHS trusts, businesses, local schools, community groups and many other organisations.
The HDRC ST is a partnership with local communities, universities, the NHS and the voluntary sector to look closely at the things that affect health in our area – like housing, jobs, education and the environment. It is helping us build a strong research culture and use evidence to make better decisions, so that we can improve health and reduce inequalities in our communities.
What we do
We lead work in five areas that make a difference to people’s lives:
1. Create healthy places
We work with a range of partners to create places and communities where people can enjoy being active and eating healthily – for example, by working with schools, local businesses, and parks.
2. Protect people’s health
We help stop the spread of illnesses (like flu, measles or COVID-19), prepare for emergencies, and work to make our air, food and environment safer. We also promote things like vaccinations and screening (simple health checks that help spot problems early).
3. Prevent illness
We support people to stay healthy and spot problems early – for example, by helping people to stop smoking, get NHS health checks, or understand their risk of conditions like cancer, diabetes or heart disease.
4. Reduce vulnerability
We work with others to support people facing tough challenges like addiction, homelessness, domestic abuse, or poor mental health. We help people get joined-up support that works for them.
5. Support mental health and wellbeing
We want everyone to feel part of their community and know where to go for help. We support projects that help people feel connected, confident, and able to cope with life’s ups and downs.
Why it matters
People in some parts of South Tees live shorter lives, and more years in poor health, compared to other parts of the country. This isn’t fair, and it’s more than about personal choices. Things like money, housing, education, where you live, and how easy it is to get help all affect your health.
That’s why we work with local people to improve the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. Together we can create healthier, fairer communities for everyone.
Our valued partners
Local hospitals and GP practices
Schools, Colleges, and Teesside University
Community groups and charities
Other council teams
The police and emergency services
Businesses
Local people – like you
We listen to people’s voices, use local data to understand problems, and take action together. We also support and fund services, lead campaigns, and work on long-term plans to make our area healthier.
Our promise
We promise to:
Use clear and simple language
Share trusted health information
Work well with others
Put people and communities at the heart of everything we do
Make our services and information as accessible as possible, so that everyone in South Tees can get the support they need.
If you live in South Tees and want to make a difference to your own health or help others in your community – we are here for you. Visit our Get Involved page for more information.