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Dr Thomas Waite will replace Professor Jonathan Van-Tam as England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed.
Dr Waite will support the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Chris Whitty, leading on health protection, emergency response and preparedness, infectious diseases, vaccines and therapeutics.
A wealth of experience in epidemiology and emergency preparedness
Dr Waite graduated in Medicine from Cardiff University and has postgraduate qualifications in public health, medical toxicology and medical education.
He has held posts in global health, infectious disease and environmental health protection, and more recently, he was the director of the UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme.
While in the position, he helped to establish the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, leading their first overseas deployment to Ethiopia.
He also helped create and lead the Joint Biosecurity Centre which provided evidence-based, objective analysis to inform local and national decision-making in response to Covid.
Dr Thomas Waite has held the position of interim DCMO since May 2021
Professor Whitty said Dr Waite will be of benefit to the “government’s ongoing public health response” and will help to prepare “for future events”.
“I am delighted to be appointed as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Health Protection. I am looking forward to the opportunity of working with teams throughout the country to develop our preparedness for health hazards and emergencies and to protect the health of the public,” Dr Waite said.
Dr Waite has held the position of interim DCMO since May 2021, and will now continue to support the CMO to serve as the UK government’s principle medical adviser.