Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Committed to improving health
AFTER a succesful interim stint, Dr Emma Fletcher has been appointed as the permanent director of public health for NHS Tayside.
Dr Fletcher has been acting as director of public health for some time and has already set her focus on the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out as she takes on the role permanently.
Dr Fletcher, who grew up in Dundee, studied at Newcastle University Medical School and initially started her training in the care of the elderly and acute medicine.
However, after completing a PhD in 2012 it became apparent her passion lay in a preventative public health approach to medicine and the desire to improve whole population health.
She returned to Tayside in 2012 to undertake her specialty training in public health before becoming a consultant in public health medicine.
Speaking about her appointment,
Dr Fletcher said: “I am delighted to be appointed as director of public health.
“The next few months will be focused on continuing our response to the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccination roll-out.
“Looking ahead, I am committed to improving the health of the people of Tayside and I will continue to build on the previous work of public health, including the key priorities of mental health and wellbeing, problem substance use and child health.”
NHS Tayside medical director Professor Peter Stonebridge said: “I am delighted to welcome Emma to this role.
“While interim director of public health, Emma clearly demonstrated her leadership, commitment and professionalism in leading NHS Tayside’s public health response to the pandemic over the past few months.
“As a public health consultant, Emma has also led on important public health issues in Tayside including substance use and alcohol.
“I very much look forward to working with her.”
Dr Fletcher took over the role after it was announced in June that Dr Drew Walker was to retire from it.
Dr Walker held the position for 20 years and he was at the forefront of plans to stem transmission and implementing a testing strategy for the region when the coronavirus pandemic hit.