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Chief Medical Officer
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Sir Liam Donaldson, is the UK Government's principal medical adviser and the professional head of all medical staff in England. These pages provide up-to-date information on key public health and clinical quality issues and offer access to CMO reports and publications. New additions to the CMO webpages and other items of interest are signposted here. New Urgent Communications and CMO Letters can be accessed using the links on the right-hand side of the page.
Recognising Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – ‘Think CO’
Published: 13 November 2008
The Chief Medical Officer issued a joint letter with the Chief Nursing Officer, to encourage health professionals to raise awareness of the risk of CO poisoning. There are approximately 50 accidental deaths and over 200 cases of recorded non-fatal injuries per year in the UK from CO poisoning.
Improving the detection and diagnosis of hepatitis C in primary care
Published: 27 October 2008
The Chief Medical Officer issued a letter reminding colleagues of the need to improve the detection and diagnosis of hepatitis C in primary care. Although diagnoses of hepatitis C have been increasing since the Department of Health’s Hepatitis C Action Plan for England was published in 2004, it is estimated there could be around 100,000 people with undiagnosed chronic hepatitis.
Health is global: a UK Government strategy
Published: 30 September 2008
The Government has launched its new strategy laying out the breadth of global health issues and its plan for tackling them. The process of developing a UK global health strategy was initiated in early 2007 with a discussion paper published by the CMO and approved by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
This strategy is a response to the recognition that health in a globalised world transcends national borders. It sets out actions that can be taken right across government to take account of the importance of global health.
National Working Group on Women in Medicine
Published: 24 September 2008
In his 2006 Annual Report, On the State of Public Health, the Chief Medical Officer included a chapter on the barriers to successful career progress faced by female doctors. To address this complex problem, the Chief Medical Officer established the National Working Group on Women in Medicine chaired by Baroness Ruth Deech. The Group, which recently held its first meeting, is reviewing the many reports produced on this subject and will be taking written and oral evidence. The Group would welcome contributions from patients, carers, clinicians, managers, employers and other interested parties. If you would like to submit evidence, please e-mail the address below or write to Baroness Ruth Deech, c/o Room 114, Department of Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2NS.
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis: guidance from the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Expert Advisory Group on AIDS
Published: 19 September 2008
Revised guidance on HIV post-exposure prophylaxis has been published. It provides updated technical advice to reduce the risk of occupational HIV infection in healthcare workers and patients exposed to contaminated blood and body fluids. This revised guidance supersedes the HIV post-exposure prophylaxis guidance issued in February 2004 by the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Expert Advisory Group on AIDS, and the interim update published in July 2007.
Launch of venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment
Published: 19 September 2008
The Chief Medical Officer announced today the publication of a risk assessment for venous thromboembolism, recommended for all patients admitted to hospital in England. Venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients is responsible for around 25,000 deaths each year. The risk assessment will be available to all hospitals and has the potential to prevent many avoidable deaths.
Oracle Children's Study
Published: 18 September 2008
The Chief Medical Officer issued a letter regarding a report on the Oracle Children Study, which was published online today by The Lancet. This is a 7-year follow-up study of a randomised controlled trial of the use of erythromycin and/or co- amoxiclav for women presenting in premature labour.
Central Alerting System (CAS)
From Monday 8 September, all Chief Medical Officer Urgent Communications and Safety Alert Broadcast System (SABS) alerts to the NHS will be issued through the Central Alerting System (CAS). CAS replaces both the Safety Alert Broadcast System (SABS) and the Chief Medical Officer’s Public Health Link (PHL). If you currently receive SABS or PHL communications, you will continue to do so via CAS.
Guidance on the diagnosis and management of PVL-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections (PVL-SA) in England
Published: 22 August 2008
New guidance to help improve diagnosis and management of patients with PVL-associated staphylococcal infections is available. This guidance, prepared by the Health Protection Agency, will be useful for professionals in both primary and secondary care and contains specific advice for schools and other settings. It replaces interim guidance that was produced in 2006.
Medical Revalidation – Principles and Next Steps
Published: 23 July 2008
The Chief Medical Officer chaired an expert working group to take forward recommendations in the Government’s 2007 White Paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety – The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century. The report from the working group sets out the principles and next steps for implementing revalidation in the United Kingdom. In proposals outlined in the report, doctors will be required to renew their professional registration to provide assurance that they are practising to the standard that patients, the public and the profession itself expect.
On the State of Public Health: Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2007
Published: 14 July 2008
The Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2007 draws attention to major health challenges requiring immediate action and details progress made in key areas identified in previous annual reports. The report focuses on teenage health, the risks inherent in undergoing surgery, the rising levels of oesophageal cancer, the importance of vaccination in improving public health and the issue of racism in medicine.
Smokefree England, one year on
Tuesday 1 July 2008
One year after England went 'Smokefree' the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, talks about some of the positive benefits of this landmark legislation.
Launch of the WHO surgical safety checklist
Monday 30 June 2008
On 25 June, the Chief Medical Officer spoke at the launch of the World Health Organization (WHO) Safe Surgery Saves Lives initiative in Washington DC, USA, and gave an introduction to the second of a number of Global Patient Safety Challenges.
Bird flu and pandemic influenza: what are the risks?
Monday 30 June 2008
A severe form of avian influenza or ‘bird flu' – called H5N1 – has affected poultry flocks and other birds in several countries since 2003. This regularly updated feature explains the background to the disease, and assesses the nature of the risk to people living in the UK.
Youth Alcohol Action Plan
Monday 2 June 2008
The Chief Medical Officer announced that he has been asked by the Government to develop guidelines for young people and parents on the risks of drinking alcohol at the launch of the Youth Alcohol Action Plan.
What to do in case of a heatwave
Monday 2 June 2008
Whilst most of us enjoy sunny weather, the extreme heat of a heatwave can be seriously damaging to the health, and can sometimes be fatal. This article provides information about who is at risk during a heatwave, and advice about what to do in case of a heatwave, and has been updated with new information for 2008.
The Chief Medical Officer attends launch of new national Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards scheme
Thursday 22 May 2008
On 12 May 2008, the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, attended the launch of the new national Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards scheme at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Chief Medical Officer, along with Sir Bill Jeffrey, Permanent Secretary at the MoD, and Surgeon General Louis Lillywhite launched the scheme and the event opened the nomination process for entries.
Chief Medical Officer visits Homerton University Hospital neonatal unit
Friday 13 May 2008
On 10 April 2008, Sir Liam Donaldson visited Homerton University Hospital neonatal unit at the invitation of BLISS, the premature baby charity. The visit provided an opportunity for Sir Liam to find out more about the work of the unit and to see the specialised care it provides.
CMO Update 47
Tuesday 13 May 2008
CMO Update is a newsletter sent by the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health to all doctors in England. CMO Update delivers relevant news from officials reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, other policy teams in the Department of Health and associated agencies, and the wider medical community. This issue focuses on reinvigorating clinical audit, increasing diagnosis of hepatitis C, priority treatment for war veterans and much more.
Chief Medical Officer launches the third year of the cleanyourhands campaign
On 18 October 2007, Sir Liam Donaldson launched the third year of the cleanyourhands campaign at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, and sent a clear message to everyone about the importance of hand hygiene.
Countdown to Smokefree England - CMO video podcasts
The Health Act, passed by Parliament in 2006, makes virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces smokefree from 1 July 2006.
In a series of video podcasts Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, explores the many reasons why this landmark public health reform is both a positive and necessary move for England.
More body donations needed to sustain medical education, training and research
While the number of people in England and Wales donating kidneys, livers and other organs has increased since 2000, the number of people leaving their whole body for medical science has fallen. An increase in people who are wish to donate their body is necessary to make good the current shortage of bodies for education and surgical training.
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