Dear Scott

LAUNCH OF PUBLIC HEALTH SCOTLAND, APRIL 2020

I am writing to mark and welcome the official launch of Public Health Scotland today. As the largest producer of official statistics about health services and population health in Scotland, you have been faced with preparing for this day under the most challenging set of circumstances imaginable. You will no doubt have difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks and months as the impact of the pandemic on your statistical releases unfolds. We have published guidance to support all producers in these circumstances and we aim to be very flexible in our regulatory approach in light of these exceptional and difficult challenges.

We met with you and Angela Leitch, Public Health Scotland’s Chief Executive, last month to discuss your long-term plans for statistics production. Public Health Scotland’s role as an official statistics producer is clearly understood and well supported at a senior level in the organisation. The governance arrangements that were in place in ISD to ensure the trustworthiness, quality and value of statistics continue in the new organisation and your role and responsibilities as Head of Profession are well respected.

I would like to extend my best wishes to you and all your colleagues, old and new as you adapt to both your new organisation and the situation you are now facing. We look forward to working with you all.

Yours sincerely

Ed Humpherson

Director General for Regulation