Solihull health authority and Solihull metropolitan borough council have appointed a joint director of public health. Andrew Richardson, previously director of commissioning/consultant in public health medicine with Worcestershire HA, has taken up the post, thought to be the first joint appointment of its kind in the country. HA chief executive Nigel Webb said the step was taken to 'go the extra step' in building relationships between the two organisations, which are 'already strong.'