The Cabinet Secretary has publicized that the new Chief Medical Officer is Chris Whitty. Professor Whitty will also be the UK government’s new Chief Medical Adviser.
Chris Whitty has been appointed as the new Chief Medical Officer for England and the UK government’s Chief Medical Advisor. Professor Whitty is responsible for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the department’s research and development, and is currently the Chief Scientific Advisor for the department of Health and Social Care.
Professor Whitty has other impressive titles like being the Professor of Public and International Health at the London School of Hygiene, a Gresham Professor of Physics and a practising NHS Consultant Physician in acute medicine and infectious diseases at University College London Hospitals.
After an external recruitment competition, Professor Whitty has the support of the Prime Minister as the new Chief Medical Officer. The current Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, will be replaced by Professor Whitty, as she will be taking up her new role in October 2019 as master of Trinity College Cambridge.
Many are excited to have Professor Whitty on board, and look forward to the progress that can be made within the NHS and the government. Professor Whitty’s expertise and experience in the different sectors of the healthcare system and management, will undoubtedly drive the healthcare system in the UK forward, and make a positive impact on the new improvements and plans being implemented.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, said:
“Professor Chris Whitty will make an excellent Chief Medical Officer, bringing his extensive clinical experience and a passion for keeping the nation healthy.
I can think of no better person to lead the fight against infectious diseases, public health threats, and lead the medical profession to continue keeping us as healthy as possible”.
Sir Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary at DHSC, said:
“I am delighted that Chris Whitty has been appointed as the Chief Medical Officer for England.
He is doing an excellent job as Chief Scientific Adviser and will bring to his new role a wealth of relevant experience from his previous roles in public health, most recently as Professor of Public and International Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and as an NHS consultant.
I look forward to working with him in his new role”.
Professor Chris Whitty said:
“It is a huge honour to be given the opportunity as Chief Medical Officer for England to be able to support colleagues in public health, the NHS and social care around the country to improve the health of the nation.
I look forward to working within DHSC and across Whitehall to support the government in leading the nation’s health and care”.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, said:
“Professor Chris Whitty will make an excellent Chief Medical Officer, bringing his extensive clinical experience and a passion for keeping the nation healthy.
I can think of no better person to lead the fight against infectious diseases, public health threats, and lead the medical profession to continue keeping us as healthy as possible”.
