This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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CMO retires 'satisfied' with improving health record
20/05/2005
The prognosis for Scotland's future health looks
positive, as the country is starting to show early signs of
shedding its 'Sick Man of Europe' tag, the Chief Medical
Officer said today.
On his last day in office, Dr Mac Armstrong said his
proudest moment as CMO was to see the introduction of the
current smoking legislation.
He said:
"Scotland has lived for too long with this legacy of one
of the most appalling health records in Europe. Whilst
there is still much to be improved, particularly in regard
to our binge drinking culture, we are now starting to see
some early signs of recovery.
"We have concentrated efforts on reducing Scotland's
record of high rates of premature death from Coronary Heart
Disease and vast improvements have been made - a 38 per
cent drop in rates since 1995.
"I am starting to see wider cultural change in our
country. More and more Scots are viewing health as
something to be enjoyed, with public opinion towards
smoking well and truly changed.
"People are realising that simple life changes - like
going for a walk, having a swim, eating sensibly - all
contribute to feeling good, living well and living
longer.
"It is going to be a long haul and there is no
short-term fix. It will take a generation to turn around
the ills of Scotland's health record.
"But lifting the smoke blanket from our pubs, clubs and
all enclosed public places will help immensely.
"It is certainly what has given me most pride in my time
as Chief Medical Officer. It is undoubtedly the most
significant measure in a generation to help improve our
nation's health and countless lives will be saved.
"Throughout my career as a doctor I have witnessed the
appalling devastation that smoking causes to communities
and families - mothers and fathers who died before their
time and not living to see the smiles of their
grandchildren.
"The health benefits to all of making public places
smoke free and stopping exposure to second hand smoke are
priceless. This in the long-term will be a significant step
towards banishing Scotland's image as the 'Sick Man of
Europe'.
"It has been exciting to watch devolution evolve in my
time as Chief Medical Officer. This is a new era for the
NHS in Scotland. We have set targets, developed initiatives
and modernised NHS contracts so that they are appropriate
for Scotland, and the particular issues that affect us up
here.
"There is now more team work than ever before in the NHS
and new innovative procedures which enable care to move out
of NHS settings into the community - direct to
patients.
"This is better for patients, gives staff more job
satisfaction and for the future of Scotland's health can
only be a positive."
As CMO, Dr Armstrong is the Executive's principal
medical adviser on health improvement, health protection
and health services development. The CMO is also
responsible for oversight of all matters affecting the
medical profession in Scotland and for the maintenance and
development of good relations between the profession and
the Executive.
Born in Motherwell on June 3, 1945, he studied medicine
at Glasgow University. He commenced his clinical career as
a lecturer in pathology at Glasgow University and
subsequently moved to general practice in Argyll for 18
years.
He was UK Secretary of the British Medical Association
from 1993 to 2001. He was appointed Chief Medical Officer
for Scotland on January 1, 2001. He is also a Director of
the Beatson Cancer Institute at Glasgow University and a
Governor of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine.
Dr Armstrong is married to Katherine, who works as a GP
in Argyll and Bute. He has two sons and one grandson and
one dog. In his leisure time, Dr Armstrong enjoys sailing,
walking, cycling, playing 'appalling golf', gardening and
music.
He will officially retire on June 2 but his last day in
post will be today.
The process of appointing a new Chief Medical Officer is
ongoing, no decisions have yet been made.