Teams of health professionals in the east of England are uniting in a new drive to fight against infectious diseases and to strengthen the region's capacity for emergency planning.
The local and regional teams for the Health Protection Agency, HPA, have been announced at a launch held in Cambridge. Across the country the HPA has brought together experts in infectious disease, chemical and radiation hazards and emergency planning staff.
The east of England's local health protection units will provide specialist analysis and advice across a range of health threats in support of the NHS, local authorities and emergency services.
The region's HPA will be based in Cambridge, led by Dr Lorna Willocks, but will include a food, water and environmental laboratory in Chelmsford as well as a laboratory in Cambridge.
There will be local teams in six counties including Essex, led by consultants in communicable disease control. Public health microbiologists in NHS trusts will work alongside the teams.
Published Tuesday, May 27, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article