Perthshire Advertiser

Emma’s the new director for public health

- ROBBIE CHALMERS

Dr Emma Fletcher has been appointed director of public health for NHS Tayside.

Dr Fletcher grew up in Dundee and attended Newcastle University Medical School and initially started training in care of the elderly and acute medicine. However, after completing a PhD in 2012, it became apparent that her passion lay in a preventati­ve public health approach to medicine and the desire to improve the health of a whole population.

Dr Fletcher returned to Tayside in 2012 to undertake her specialty training in public health before becoming a consultant in Public Health Medicine.

Following her appointmen­t, she 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 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.”

Medical director Professor Peter Stonebridg­e said:“I am delighted to welcome Emma to this role. Whilst 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. 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.”

 ??  ?? Message Nicola Sturgeon
Message Nicola Sturgeon

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom