RCP president, Professor Andrew Goddard responds to media reports that Public Health England is to be replaced by a new agency.
RCP president, Professor Andrew Goddard said: 'Since March, I have had many conversations with our members about how we respond to the government’s handling of the pandemic. Some have urged us to be critical, but most have agreed that now is not the time for that. Instead, we have worked with the government and the NHS to focus on protecting the public and providing the best care we can for patients.
'Similarly, now is not the time to replace Public Health England. The pandemic may have shown us that some changes are needed, but they need to be made at the right time. PHE is playing a key role in keeping the country going, and we really don’t need the upheaval that this move is going to create.
'As well as facing the very real risk of a second COVID-19 wave in the autumn, the NHS is preparing for winter and trying to get its activity back to pre-COVID levels. This distraction isn’t going to help, particularly as public health messaging is key to our success.
'Neither is it fair nor right that thousands of dedicated professionals - who have been working tirelessly at PHE over the last 6 months to keep us safe and healthy - had to hear via the media that the organisation they work for is likely to replaced. They deserve much better.'