Public Health Director appointed STAC Chair

Thursday 26 August 2021

The Director of Public Health has been named as the new Chair of the Government's key group of scientific advisers.

Professor Peter Bradley will be stepping into the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell's (STAC) leading role, replacing Medical Director Patrick Armstrong, who has chaired the meetings since the Cell formed last year.

The data champion, who previously held the roles of Chief Information Officer and Director of Health Intelligence for Public Health England, started his role as Director of Public Health (DPH) last month.

Pictured: Medical Director Patrick Armstrong has chaired the meetings since the Cell formed last year.

The new role was created to replace that of Medical Officer of Health, which was previously held by Dr Susan Turnbull, to bring it in line with the requirements of the British Faculty of Public Health.

Professor Bradley said that as the pandemic evolves and the public health response moves from “suppression to mitigation”, both himself and Mr Armstrong felt it was the “right time” for the change.

“I have been a member of STAC since I started in post and so have had the opportunity to see at first hand the great work that goes into informing Government decisions on the pandemic response,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful for the work of Mr Armstrong, who has done an exemplary job as Chair during what has been a very challenging time.”

Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf praised Mr Armstrong for his STAC service, saying he "stepped forward at a time when more of the focus was on secondary care, including the clinical treatment of covid and the establishment of the Nightingale Hospital”.

“As we evolve our response to the pandemic, I welcome the change to a public health focus. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr Armstrong for his dedication and commitment as Chair throughout the emergency response," he added.

Pictured: The Public Health Directorate has been expanded  improve health outcomes across the island. 

The move comes as the Public Health Directorate undergoes changes as part of a plan to improve health outcomes across the island. 

The expanded service will aim to address health inequalities in Jersey, reduce disparities between the health of different groups by promoting healthier lifestyles and protect the island from health hazards, among other things.

Additional funding has been granted to the service as part of the Jersey Care Model to support prevention and early intervention, allowing islanders to keep well and manage disease at an early stage.

Professor Bradley will be leading the growing team of experts providing professional advice on all public health matters.

“Jersey’s Public Health Directorate will work to improve health outcomes for all islanders,” he said.

“The team will be responsible for coordinating expert staff from across Government, with a focus on keeping islanders safe from future threats, such as flu and the ongoing pandemic. Working across Government departments, the team will apply their expertise to advise how Government policies will impact on the health of islanders.

“I look forward to using my 17 years’ experience as a director to lead an expanded team of public health and policy professionals focused on health improvement, health protection, health inequalities and public health intelligence. Dr Ivan Muscat, in his role as Deputy Medical Officer of Health, will continue to support Public Health function leading on communicable disease control and our ongoing public health response to covid.” 

As a way of gathering more information about islanders' current health situation and experiences during the pandemic, Professor Bradley today launched a Health, Activity and Wellbeing Survey.

5,000 households in Jersey have been selected at random to take part in the one-off survey, whose will cover health, diet, lifestyle, physical activity, wellbeing and volunteering.

Pictured: %,000 households have been selected for a one-off Health, Activity and Wellbeing Survey. 

“We want to use their direct experiences to help shape future public health policies and inform investment in sports and exercise facilities,” Professor Bradley said.

“It is important we understand how covid has affected people’s health and wellbeing so we can work on recovery policies to help Islanders sustain healthy lives.”

Letters will be sent this week and completed surveys will be entered into a prize draw to win £250.