Who is Jonathan Van-Tam and why did he quit as Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England?

PROFESSOR Jonathan Van-Tam has quit his role as Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England.

Sir Jonathan is leaving his secondment at the Department of Health in March 2022 and returning to his post at Nottingham University.

Who is Jonathan Van-Tam?

Jonathan Stafford Nguyen Van-Tam MBE is a British specialist in influenza, including its epidemiology, transmission, vaccinology, antiviral drugs and pandemic preparedness.

Van-Tam was awarded an MBE (military section) in the 1998 New Year’s Honours when he was Acting Major Jonathan Stafford Nguyen-Van-Tam, Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force.

It was awarded in recognition of his work in designing a first aid kit to meet the special requirements of large groups of teenagers on camping expeditions.

On October 2, 2017, he took up the role of deputy chief medical officer for England.

Why did Jonathan Van-Tam quit as Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England?

Allies insist his departure is long-planned and has no bearing on the political “partygate” saga engulfing the PM.

Prof Van-Tam will continue to work for the government until the end of March.

He had been on secondment from the University of Nottingham to the Department of Health in 2017 and will return to a new role as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam said: “My time as DCMO have been the most challenging of my professional career, especially the Covid response.

“We all wish Covid had never happened. Notwithstanding, it has been the greatest privilege of my professional career to have served the people of the UK during this time.

“I want to pay tribute to Professor Chris Whitty, the CMO team, my fellow scientists, public health professionals and clinicians whose support, wisdom and energy has been inspiring.

“There are countless numbers who work behind the scenes – all of whom have an unrelenting commitment to help and support the British public.

“It has been an honour to work with them all.

“I will continue to work until the end of March and look forward to the next challenge.”

What was Jonathan Van-Tam’s role during the coronavirus pandemic?

His job was as medical adviser to the Government and the deputy to Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Adviser to the UK Government.

He is one of three Deputy Chief Medical Officers who “support the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in their role as independent adviser to government on medical matters and the Head of Profession for all directors of public health in local government,” says the website.