News story

Deputy Chief Medical Officers appointed

The 2 Deputy Chief Medical Officers for England are now in post at the Department of Health.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Professor David Walker, formerly Regional Director of Public Health for the Midlands and the East of England and an Executive Director in the NHS for the past 12 years, began work earlier this year.

Professor John Watson, Head of Respiratory Diseases at Public Health England’s Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, was appointed last week and will begin work in October.

Both are holders of a number of academic appointments. They will support the work of Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, to improve the health of the nation.

Professor Walker has a shared leadership of the Public Health Profession and focuses on a portfolio of public health and wellbeing.

Professor Watson’s main focus will be health protection, including anti-microbial resistance.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said:

I’m delighted to welcome both Professor Walker and Professor Watson to my team. They are both fantastic additions and their expertise will help us all continue to focus on some of the biggest public health issues that we face as a society.

Published 5 September 2013