APPT OF CHIEF MEDICAL ADVISER DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS

17 Feb 2005 09:45 AM

The Department for Work and Pensions announces today the appointment of Dr Bill Gunnyeon as Chief Medical Adviser, Medical Director and Chief Scientist to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Currently Medical Director of Capita Health Solutions and President of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Dr Gunnyeon will take up post on 1st June 2005.

He succeeds Professor Mansel Aylward CB who is retiring from the Department at the end of April to take up post as Chair in Psychosocial and Disability Research at Cardiff University and Director of the new UnumProvident Centre at the University. He will also chair the newly established Wales Centre for Health which will lead on improvements in the nation's health.

Richard Mottram, Permanent Secretary commented:

"Dr Gunnyeon will be taking on an exciting and challenging welfare reform agenda which will be delivered at the same time as a wholesale modernisation of all our businesses and IT systems. He will bring a wealth of broad-based occupational health experience in both the public and private sectors. I very much look forward to working with him."

Bill Gunnyeon said:

"I am delighted to be joining the Department and very much looking forward to the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead. I will be seeking to build on the outstanding work of Professor Aylward, who has made such a valuable contribution to the Department's achievements and whom I feel privileged to be succeeding."

Notes to Editors

1. Doctor Bill Gunnyeon FRCP, FFOM, FRCGP, DIH, age 51, was educated at the University of Dundee. Prior to joining Capita Health Solutions he was Director of Health Services at Aon Health Solutions and Chief Executive and Director of Occupational Health at Liberty Occupational Health Limited. He previously worked in a range of senior Occupational Health roles at Grampian Regional Council and at OMS Limited having started his career as a medical officer with the Royal Air Force. 2. Dr Gunnyeon's current professional appointments include President of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Member of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Member of the Specialist Training Authority and Member of Council, Royal College of Physicians of London.

3. He will act as Chief Medical Adviser and Chief Scientific Adviser to Ministers and to the Department including its Executive Agencies on all aspects of social security, employment and related issues requiring medical input, advice and evidence-based scientific opinion. As Medical Director he will manage the Corporate Medical Group and ensure that medical quality and professional standards are set for and achieved by all doctors and healthcare professionals employed by the Department.

4. Dr Gunnyeon's appointment follows an open competition. As for other competitions for posts at this level, the appointment has been approved by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

5. Professor Mansel Aylward CB MD FRCP FFOM FFPM joined the Civil Service in 1985 and has been in his present post for almost nine years. He has led the Corporate Medical Group on the Government's Welfare Reform initiatives and has played a key role in the development and evaluation of the medical assessment for incapacity (the All Work Test). He has also made a major contribution in establishing the new postgraduate diploma for doctors in Disability Assessment Medicine.

6. Professor Aylward was closely involved in developing the UK's successful "Pathways to Work" initiatives and a framework for Vocational Rehabilitation. He will be taking up the post of Chair in Psychosocial and Disability Research at Cardiff University and will be Director of the new UnumProvident Centre at the University. He is a visiting Professor at Harvard University and from May 2005 he will take up the Chair of Wales Centre for Health, a new body established by the Welsh Assembly Government, to lead improvements in the nation's health.

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