Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

Page menu

Sir Liam Donaldson

  • Last modified date:
    4 June 2007
Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer

Sir Liam Donaldson has been the Chief Medical Officer for England, and the United Kingdom’s Chief Medical Adviser, since 1998. He holds critical responsibilities across the whole field of public health and health care.

As the United Kingdom’s chief adviser on health issues he advises the Secretary of State for Health, the Prime Minister and other government ministers.

He has produced landmark reports, which have set health policy and legislation in fields such as stem cell research, quality and safety of health care, infectious disease control, patient empowerment, poor clinical performance, smoke free public places, medical regulation, and organ and tissue retention.

Sir Liam is also recognised as an international champion of patient safety and has Chaired the World Health Organization World Alliance for Patient Safety since its launch in 2004.

Before becoming Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam held posts in hospital medicine and surgery, General Practice, public health, academic medicine, and health care management.

Access keys