Letters

Published: 25/03/2004, Volume II4, No. 5898 Page 26

HSJ's news story 'DoH head of public health development quits' (page 6-7, 4 March) might have given readers the impression that I made a hasty departure from the Department of Health. This was certainly not the case.

I left my post at the end of February entirely as planned, having indicated several months ago, and with considerable sadness, my intention to leave due to difficult personal family circumstances.

I was sorry to leave the DoH at a time when public health has achieved a high profile nationally, but I was pleased to stay and support new deputy chief medical officer Dr Fiona Adshead during the early days of her tenure.

Dr Fiona Sim Former head of public health development Department of Health