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This section provides recent news and announcements from the Chief Medical Officer. Older news items are available in the archive sections
Issued: 24 March 2010
Ministers have given their approval for a new national mandatory data collection from 1 June 2010 to allow performance in VTE risk assessment to be reported and monitored nationally.
The Chief Medical Officer and the NHS Medical Director have sent out a letter summarising the measures to be taken and the responsibilities of Chief Executives and Medical Directors to ensure compliance.
24 March 2010
The Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians has launched a new report looking at the effects of passive smoking on children. The report, with a foreword by the Chief Medical Officer, proposes a number of recommendations to reduce the burden of passive smoking on children, a burden that is entirely avoidable.
15 March 2010
The Chief Medical Officer today published his annual report 2009. The report draws attention to major health challenges requiring immediate action and details progress made in key areas identified in previous annual reports. The annual report addresses the benefits of physical activity, preparation for cold weather to reduce health risks, treatment for rare diseases, grandparenting and health, and the link between climate change and health.
A report summarising Sir Liam’s work during his time as Chief Medical Officer has also been published today, in electronic form. 'Advancing health: Examples of the work of the Chief Medical Officer for England, 1998 - 2010' gives an overview of the Chief Medical Officer's role and describes some of the advances that have been made during Sir Liam's term in office.
Issued: 18 March 2010
The Chief Medical Officer has issued his fifth Pandemic H1N1 (2009) influenza fortnightly bulletin for journalists.
9 March 2010
The Public Health Observatories (PHO) will mark its 10th anniversary today with a joint one-day conference with the Department of Health where the keynote address will be delivered by Sir Liam Donaldson.
Sir Liam Donaldson said:
'In the past decade Public Health Observatories have become indispensable to the infrastructure of promoting and protecting the Nations Health.
'This 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Public Health Observatories marks the success for the growth in the role and position of public health intelligence, the information provided by the Observatories is essential for helping form the decisions and policy made to improve the health of the population.'
Issued: 4 March 2010
The Chief Medical Officer has issued his fourth Pandemic H1N1 (2009) influenza fortnightly bulletin for journalists.
2 March 2010
A revised DH national Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment tool is published today.
One of the main recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer's, Expert Working Group Report, in April 2007, was that all hospital patients receive a VTE risk assessment upon admission to hospital.
The risk assessment was prepared by CMO's VTE Implementation Working Group, working with NICE so that it is compliant with their latest guidance. It is available for hospitals to download and use with immediate effect.
Issued: 18 February 2010
The Chief Medical Officer has issued his third Pandemic H1N1 (2009) Influenza fortnightly bulletin for journalists.
18 February 2010
The Chief Medical Officer is recruiting approximately 15 junior doctors to his Clinical Advisors Scheme. These posts offer promising junior doctors the opportunity to intensively develop their skills and knowledge in healthcare management, leadership and policy.
The full-time posts run for one year from September 2010. The closing date for applications is 8 March 2010.
Issued: 18 February 2010
The Chief Medical Officer has sent a letter via CAS which provides an update on the vaccination programme, a reminder on the importance of the vaccination and the expected parameters for its continued delivery by the NHS.
15 February 2010
Sir Liam Donaldson is speaking this evening on the legacy of Dr Duncan - Liverpool's first Medical Officer for Health.
The Roscoe lectures, a series of annual public lectures held at Liverpool John Moores University, explore what it means to be a good citizen in today's society.
Previous speakers include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rt Revd George Carey, Greg Dyke, Lech Walesa, Dr Jonathan Sacks and HRH Prince Charles.
04 February 2010
Chief Medical Officer advises that the pandemic H1N1 (2009) influenza vaccine continues to provide vital protection.
01 February 2010
An ambitious new strategy will halve the number of smokers, from 21 to 10 per cent of the population by 2020, Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham announced today.
29 January 2010
New findings have been published from the PHP, a Department of Health funded pilot initiative.
Sir Liam Donaldson came up with the idea for the service after identifying that doctors do not always have the same access to healthcare as their patients.
Issued: 27 January 2010
The Chief Medical Officer has issued a letter via the Central Alert System.
With levels of influenza caused by the H1N1 (2009) pandemic virus in the community currently low, this letter provides an update on the next developments in the response to the pandemic.
26 January 2010
Over 3,000 doctors will test out a new system of strengthened appraisal that will improve the quality and safety of patient care, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.
Sir Liam Donaldson said:
'Ultimately the process is aimed at helping the vast majority of doctors who are already delivering good care to do even better and to provide patients with reassurance that their doctor is a good doctor with 21st century knowledge and skills'.
26 January 2010
Sir Donald Acheson, the 13th Chief Medical Officer for England, died on 10 January 2010.
14 January 2010
Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has received the Donabedian International award for his work in the field of patient safety.
