Recent testimony from Professor Chris Whitty to the Hallett Inquiry has raised questions about the role of England's Chief Medical Officer (CMO) during the Covid-19 response, highlighting potential inconsistencies between the position's intended function and its actual execution during the crisis.
The evolving role of the CMO
Professor Whitty, who became CMO in October 2019, found himself central to Britain's Covid response. His testimony revealed significant ambiguity about the scope of his responsibilities during this period.
'I think the key thing to remember, and I think people forget this, is that this was an exponentially rising -- in the technical sense of the term, an exponentially rising thing', Whitty told the inquiry. However, analysis from public health experts has since questioned whether this assessment was accurate, particularly given the meaningless Covid testing system and potential misdiagnosis of cases.
Defining 'overwhelmed'
A crucial revelation from Whitty's testimony was the lack of a clear definition for when the National Health Service would be considered 'overwhelmed' - a metric frequently used to justify restrictive measures. When questioned, Whitty described it vaguely as a situation where 'things did not work as usual'.
This ambiguity becomes particularly significant given that the threat of an overwhelmed NHS was repeatedly used to justify lockdowns and other restrictions on civil liberties.
Contradictions in advice and action
The inquiry has exposed several inconsistencies between the CMO's advisory role and the actions taken. Despite being positioned as an independent medical advisor, Whitty frequently appeared alongside government ministers, potentially blurring the line between impartial expert and government spokesperson.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's testimony added another layer of complexity. Johnson rejected suggestions of a 'rollercoaster lockdown process', arguing instead that varying restriction levels were 'very largely driven by nature'. This stance appears to contradict the notion that policies were guided by careful medical advice from the CMO and other experts.
A wider pattern of questionable measures
Evidence from other parts of the UK supports a pattern of potentially unjustified restrictions. Mark Drakeford, the Welsh First Minister, described local lockdowns as a 'failed experiment', whilst Sir Frank Atherton, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, characterised the lack of coordination between different UK restrictions as an 'omnishambles'.
Questions of independence
As a civil servant with statutory responsibilities, the CMO reports to the permanent secretary in the Department of Health and Social Care. However, questions have been raised about whether the same person who independently advises the government during normal times can effectively serve as its spokesperson during a crisis without compromising their independence.
The inquiry has heard evidence suggesting that rather than providing truly independent medical advice, the CMO role may have been used to lend seemingly scientific credibility to political decisions.
Looking ahead
As scrutiny of the UK's Covid response continues, the role of the CMO remains under examination. The evidence presented thus far suggests a need to reassess how public health expertise is integrated into government decision-making, particularly during times of crisis.
Whether this will lead to reform of the CMO role - and indeed, whether such reform would prevent future restrictions on civil liberties imposed under the guise of public health measures - remains to be seen.
This article draws on testimony given to the Hallett Inquiry and analysis from public health experts and policy researchers. The transcript of Professor Whitty's deposition can be read here (PDF Page 14).
Diagnoses that are missed altogether, wrong, or should have been made much earlier
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