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The island's Medical Director has confirmed that he will be stepping down in an announcement made just days after the Health Chief Officer revealed he would be leaving his post due to medical reasons.
Patrick Armstrong will depart from his role as Medical Director in January to focus full-time on clinical duties.
Health Chief Officer Chris Bown announced Mr Armstrong's departure in this morning's meeting of the Health Advisory Board.
In a statement sent to Health staff today, Mr Bown said: "I would like to thank Patrick on behalf of the Board for his dedication and commitment to patient safety, high standards of clinical governance and his integrity in addressing often difficult and controversial issues during his appointment.
"I wish him every success in his transition back to full-time clinical practice."
Pictured: Health Chief Officer Chris Bown announced that he would be stepping down from his post earlier this week due to medical reasons.
The statement also confirmed that the process for recruiting a new Medical Director would now begin through the Jersey Appointments Commission.
Consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Mr Armstrong was appointed as the island's substantive Medical Director in 2021 after serving in the role in an interim capacity.
He was made an MBE for his services to the community during the pandemic.
The announcement of Mr Armstrong's departure comes just two days after it emerged that Mr Bown will leave his role as Health Chief Officer on 3 October to undergo a medical procedure.
Mr Bown took up a 12-month contract as the department's most senior leader in April 2024.
Pictured: Assistant Government CEO Tom Walker will replace Chris Bown as interim Health Chief Officer.
Tom Walker, the Government’s Assistant CEO and the current Chief Officer for People, Policy and Digital, will take over as interim Chief Officer for Health.
Mr Bown will support Mr Walker "with strategic advice should he be fit enough to resume duties before his contract end date of March 2025", according to a statement sent to HCS staff and shared with the media.
The Government will "shortly" be advertising for an interim Chief Officer to take over from Mr Walker.
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Pictured top: Patrick Armstrong was appointed as the island's substantive Medical Director in 2021 after serving in the role in an interim capacity.
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