Medical Officer of Health to retire

Dr Susan Turnbull, Medical Officer of Health, will be retiring after almost 40 years of public service.

Dr Turnbull moved to Jersey in 2006 and was appointed as Medical Officer of Health in 2011. Since being in Jersey, Dr Turnbull has worked on the Island’s response to the 2009 Swine Flu pandemic, and on delivering an innovative immunisation programme. Her public health leadership also drove forward initiatives such as the bowel screening programme.

Dr Turnbull qualified as a doctor in 1981 at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Medical School and worked as both a GP and hospital doctor. During the 1990s she worked in the UK Department of Health as national medical policy lead on blood borne viruses. Before moving to Jersey, she was Director of Public Health for Bournemouth.

Dr Turnbull’s plans for retirement include a return to the UK to spend more time with her family. She said: "I've had a wonderful, varied career and have been privileged to serve the Island for the last 14 years. 　I'll miss Jersey greatly, but now is the right time to focus on family and I'm looking forward to spending more time with my wonderful grandchildren.

"I'm confident that the Island remains in safe hands with the expert advice of Dr Ivan Muscat and the medical leadership of Mr Patrick Armstrong to help steer our health services."

Recruitment will start shortly for Dr Turnbull’s replacement. In the interim, Dr Ivan Muscat will continue to undertake the duties of the Medical Officer for Health in leading Jersey’s medical response to the coronavirus pandemic. An experienced Interim Director of Public Health will also be appointed to focus on the wider wellbeing aspects of the pandemic and to support the development of the Jersey Care Model.

The Minister for Health and Social Services

Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf, said: "I'd like to thank Dr Turnbull for her dedicated service to the Island and commend all her work over the years, notably bringing public health ideology to the centre of government thinking and shaping our strategy. Quite rightly, we now prioritise health and wellbeing across all government policy and planning. 　

"I am sure the five former Health Ministers with whom she has also worked very closely will join me in commending her invaluable service to the people of Jersey and wish her a most enjoyable and well-deserved retirement."