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A new chief medical officer for Wales will be in post from next month, as Dr Sir Frank Atherton prepares to step down from the role after eight-and-a-half years.

He will be succeeded by Professor Isabel Oliver, who is currently director general of science and research, and chief scientific officer, at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

As chief medical officer, Prof Oliver will provide independent advice to the Welsh Government about health and public health matters.

Prof Oliver started her career working in acute hospital medicine in the West Midlands and the south west of England, before pursuing a career in public health.

Before Prior to her current role in UKHSA, she was Director of National Infection Service at Public Health England (PHE).

She is also co-director of the National Institute for Health Research, Health Protection Research Unit on Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol, and an honorary professor at University College, London.

Prof Oliver described her appointment as “an honour” and said: “I am very excited to work with the dedicated health professionals and the communities across Wales to create a healthier Wales and safeguard our NHS.”

She continued: “Today, we face challenges from our ageing population, inequalities and global factors such as climate change.”

Wales’ health secretary, Jeremy Miles, said Prof Oliver “brings a wealth of experience to Wales after working at a senior level in public health in the UK”.