Paul Cosford
Sir Paul Cosford KCB | |
---|---|
Born | 20 May 1963 , Gloucestershire, England |
Died | 5 April 2021 (aged 57) |
Education | |
Occupations | |
Years active | 1987 - 2021 |
Known for | UK public health response to:
|
Relatives | Gillian Leng (wife) |
Medical career | |
Profession | Physician |
Field | Public health |
Institutions |
Sir Paul Anthony Cosford
Earlier in his career he moved to
In 2017 Cosford was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, which obliged him to step down from his role as director for PHE in 2019. That year, he was lead author of a paper discussing lung cancer in people who had, like himself, never smoked. He subsequently wrote an essay, in which he called for policies on assisted dying to be reviewed. In 2020, in his emeritus role, he reported frequently on the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to work while self-isolating during the early COVID-19 lockdowns.
For his services to public health, Cosford was appointed
Early life and education
Paul Cosford was born in Thornbury, Gloucestershire,[2] on 20 May 1963, one of three children born to teachers Brian and Judith Cosford.[3][4] Following a move to Exmouth, he entered Exeter School in 1974, and became deputy head boy and captain of tennis there.[1][5] He completed his secondary education in 1981 and gained admission to study medicine at St Mary's Hospital Medical School,[a] London, where he also participated in rowing.[1] After graduating with at first a bachelor's degree and then a medical degree in 1987, he moved back to Devon.[4][7]
Early career
Initially, Cosford had planned a career in
Local and regional public health
Cosford began his career in public health in the early 1990s, taking on various management roles in the NHS, public health and social care systems.[3] His early posts were in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and later he became director of public health with the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Rutland Area Health Authority.[1][4]
In 2006 he was one of nine of the new Regional Directors of Public Health introduced by
In 2007, he coauthored a Cochrane review that established that men, particularly those over the age of 65 years, were more likely than women to develop an
At the launch of 'Improving Lives, Saving Lives' in 2007, he said that obesity needed to be addressed as a priority and that intervening was necessary as early as when breastfeeding and weaning took place.[21] Over the subsequent years he reported on high levels of obesity in the east of England.[22][23]
From 2010 he had executive roles at PHE's predecessor, the Health Protection Agency, and was its acting chief executive from October 2012 to February 2013.[13]
Public Health England
Cosford joined PHE in October 2012, and was appointed its Medical Director and Director for Health Protection, serving PHE in this position from April 2013 to 2019.
When rates of
According to an interview with Cosford later in 2017, his biggest challenge until that time had been responding to the Ebola outbreak in the UK and Western African Ebola epidemic.[5][32] Although the detection of large numbers of cases were not expected, entry-screening at airports was introduced both to advise travellers and to give some reassurance for the UK public, explained in his paper "Advantages of airport screening for Ebola".[33] He discussed such screenings with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in 2014, when representing the UK, he was appointed its new member.[34] He advised on the welfare of PHE staff in Sierre Leone and for those returning to England.[27]
In 2014 he contributed to the response to emergencies including the contaminated intravenous baby feeds on maternity wards.[35] In the same year he announced the introduction of a toolkit to reduce hospital-acquired infections and reduce spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria.[36] In 2015 he introduced the TB strategy.[37] That year he encouraged British supermarkets to move daffodils away from fruit and vegetable areas because some people were mistaking them for vegetables.[38] The bulbs could appear to some as onions, and the leaves and stems as a type of vegetable popular in China.[38] 63 cases of poisonings had been reported over the previous six years.[38] He led responses to the Zika virus in 2016,[39] and in 2017 he was involved in the response to the Grenfell disaster, measuring pollution levels from the fire and the clean-up operation.[5] He also wrote on the needs of refugees.[40] In 2018, he became involved in debates on the roles and responsibilities of the alcohol industry, and whether the scientific community ought to work with them.[41][42][43][44]
A key government adviser of the response to the 2018
Lung cancer
Having been previously physically fit and never smoked, in 2017 he was diagnosed with
In 2019, his diagnosis obliged him to step down from his role as director for health protection and medical director of PHE.[3] That year, he was lead author of an article in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine discussing lung cancer in people who have never smoked.[55][56] The paper presented findings that lung cancer was associated with a stigma, and that the number of people with lung cancer who have never smoked was increasing, with outdoor pollution as a significant contributory factor, in addition to passive smoke and occupational carcinogen exposure.[55][57][c] Although passive smoking was contributory, it reported, it was not the main reason for the rise in cases.[55]
During this time his diagnosis had changed his view on assisted dying, leading him to publish on the topic in
COVID-19 pandemic
In his emeritus role he appeared frequently on national media to report regularly during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][59][60] At the beginning of March 2020, during the early rises in COVID-19 cases in the UK, he reported that the numbers were much higher than appeared.[61] Throughout the early lockdowns, he continued to work whilst having to self-isolate.[4]
Awards and honours
Cosford was a fellow of the
Death
Cosford died on 5 April 2021,[27][50] at the age of 57.[3] He is survived by his wife Gillian Leng,[52] a son and a daughter from his first marriage, and two stepdaughters.[4] Following his death, tributes were received from the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy,[68] Roger Kirby on behalf of the Royal Society of Medicine,[69] Matt Hancock, Stephen Powis, Jeremy Hunt, Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty.[50]
Selected publications
- Cosford, Paul; Arnold, Elaine (1992). "Eating disorders in later life: A review". International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 7 (7): 491–498. S2CID 144430214.
- Cosford, Paul A.; O'Mahony, Mary; Angell, Emma; Bickler, Graham; Crawshaw, Shirley; Glencross, Janet; Horsley, Stephen S.; McCloskey, Brian; Puleston, Richard; Seare, Nichola; Tobin, Martin D. (7 December 2006). "Public health professionals' perceptions toward provision of health protection in England: a survey of expectations of Primary Care Trusts and Health Protection Units in the delivery of health protection". BMC Public Health. 6 (1): 297. PMID 17156421.
- Cosford, Paul A.; Leng, Gillian C.; Thomas, Justyn (18 April 2007). "Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2): CD002945. PMID 17443519.
- Cosford, P. (4 November 2014). "Advantages of airport screening for Ebola". BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.). 349: g6585. S2CID 21797160.
- Newton, John N.; Cosford, Paul (20 October 2018). "Partnerships with the alcohol industry: opportunities and risks". The Lancet. 392 (10156): 1401–1402. S2CID 52340913.
- Vardoulakis, Sotiris; Kettle, Rachel; Cosford, Paul; Lincoln, Paul; Holgate, Stephen; Grigg, Jonathan; Kelly, Frank; Pencheon, David (June 2018). "Local action on outdoor air pollution to improve public health". International Journal of Public Health. 63 (5): 557–565. S2CID 4984147.
- Cosford, Paul (30 September 2020). "The bench: reflections on an incurable diagnosis and control at the end of life—an essay by Paul Cosford". BMJ. 371: m3716. S2CID 222069101.
- Bhopal, Anand; Peake, Michael D.; Gilligan, David; Cosford, Paul (25 April 2019). "Lung cancer in never-smokers: a hidden disease". Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 112 (7): 269–271. PMID 31022354.
Notes
- ^ Later merged with Imperial College School of Medicine.[6]
- ^ The Health Protection Agency became part of PHE in April 2013.[25] PHE had been in a transition phase between October 2012 and its official establishment in April 2013.[24]
- ^ Despite the general decline in lung cancer rates, the rate of lung cancer in non-smokers has been noted to be increasing.[58]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Paul Cosford". www.exeterschool.org.uk. Exeter School. 13 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007. United Kingdom. Volume 7b, P.1063. via www.ancestry.co.uk (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Sir Paul Cosford, public health expert who advised the Government over the Salisbury poisonings – obituary". The Telegraph. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ S2CID 233291765.
- ^ a b c d "Medicine in mind". Alumni Magazine of Exeter School (8). Exeter School: 12–13. Autumn 2017. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022.
- ISBN 0-85323-968-1.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4441-4540-3.
- S2CID 144430214.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4443-5837-7.
- ISBN 978-0-387-92270-6.
- ISBN 978-0-7546-6458-1.
- ^ "New role for directors of public health". Local Government Chronicle (LGC). 11 July 2006. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Professor Paul Cosford". www.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- ^ Bernstein, Howard; Cosford, Paul; Williams, Alwen (February 2010). Enabling effective delivery of health and wellbeing. An independent report (PDF). p. 2.
- ^ Dessington, Amelia; Free, Admission; now, Book. "The environment – what sort of world do we want to live in?". University of Liverpool Events. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- S2CID 24359795.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4419-7873-8.
- ISBN 978-0-8261-3857-6.
- PMID 26169012.
- )
- ISBN 978-1-4129-3535-7.
- ^ "Child obesity worst in Essex town". 15 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Hore, James (27 March 2009). "Essex weight problems are even worse". East Anglian Daily Times. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "2. Transition to Public Health England". House of Commons Health Committee: Public Health England. Eighth Report of session 2013-2014 (PDF). London: The Stationery Office Limited. 4 February 2014. pp. 10–14.
- ^ Powell, Thomas (10 March 2016). The structure of the NHS in England (PDF). House of Commons Library.
- ^ Turner, Julian (4 March 2015). "Ebola screening at UK airports - with Public Health England director Paul Cosford". Airport Technology. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Sir Paul Cosford obituary". The Times. 5 May 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ McKay, Betsy; Whalen, Jeanne (19 July 2013). "Fifteen Years After Autism Panic, a Plague of Measles Erupts". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Roberts, Neil Roberts (25 April 2013). "Record measles outbreak triggers national jab campaign". www.gponline.com. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "Measles vaccination campaign begins - video". The Guardian. 25 April 2013. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ PHE (25 April 2013). "National MMR vaccination catch-up programme announced in response to increase in measles cases". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-215-09086-7.
- PMID 29989094.
- ^ "Minutes of the 40th meeting of the Advisory Forum". Stockholm. 10 December 2014. ECDC Advisory Forum. p.1.
- ^ Weaver, Weaver; Boseley, Sarah (5 June 2014). "Liquid food linked to poisoning of babies was sent to 22 hospitals". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "PHE launches toolkit to manage hospital infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria". GOV.UK. 6 March 2014. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Annual TB update 2015 (PDF). Public Health England. March 2015. p. 2.
- ^ a b c Hennessy, Mark (7 February 2015). "British shops warned over customers eating daffodils". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Visionary entrepreneur and advocate for healthy living joins one of the UK's most senior figures in public health to receive an honorary degree". University of Chester. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- PMID 30275412.
- PMID 31752119.
- PMID 32039391.
- ^ "PHE, Drinkaware & public policy: reaction and debate continues". Alcohol Policy UK. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ Weaver, Matthew (20 September 2018). "Public Health England backs review of alcohol charity's guidance". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the originalon 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "PHE statement on incident in Amesbury". GOV.UK. 4 July 2018. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "What is 'Aussie' flu and should we be worried?". BBC News. 8 January 2018. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ "New tool calculates NHS and social care costs of air pollution". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Schools should have 'no idling zones', Public Health England chief says". BBC News. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "Tributes to 'Inspiring' Public Health Expert Professor Sir Paul Cosford". Medscape. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Wessely, Simon; Kirby, Roger (5 February 2017). "President's update: February 2018 | The Royal Society of Medicine". www.rsm.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ a b Gregory, Andrew (15 August 2021). "'My husband had a bad death — he suffered. It shouldn't be like that'". Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ Smyth, Chris (8 May 2019). "'Pumping out dirty fumes is worse than smoking around children'". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ Matthews-King, Alex (26 April 2019). "Pollution contributing to 'thousands of lung cancer deaths in non-smokers'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "House of Commons Official Report: Covid-19: Lung Cancer Pathway". hansard.parliament.uk. London: UK Parliament. 2 December 2020. pp. 187–194. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Lung cancer under-recognised in people who have never smoked | The Royal Society of Medicine". www.rsm.ac.uk. 26 April 2019. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Campbell, Denis (25 April 2019). "One in six people dying of lung cancer in UK are non-smokers, experts say". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- PMID 32848276.
- ^ "Coronavirus: Hundreds of flu patients to be tested by UK hospitals and GPs". BBC News. 26 February 2020. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ Nazia, Parveen; Devlin, Hannah; Brooks, Libby; Campbell, Denis (24 January 2020). "UK seeks 2,000 air passengers from Wuhan amid coronavirus fears". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Gilroy, Rebecca (2 March 2020). "PHE director warns widespread UK coronavirus cases 'highly likely'". Nursing Times. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-429-53332-7.
- ^ "Honorary Graduates 2018". University of Chester. 18 March 2019. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "New Year Honours 2021: High Awards". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ^ "New Years Honours List- United Kingdom 2016". www.gov.uk. 31 December 2015. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- ^ "New Years Honours List- United Kingdom 2021". www.thegazette.co.uk. No. 63218. The London Gazette. 31 December 2020. p. 3. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ Clarke, Lewis (8 January 2021). "Exeter School alumnus awarded knighthood in New Year's honours list". InYourArea.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "BSAC pays tribute to 'antimicrobial resistance agenda champion' Sir Paul Cosford". The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 7 April 2021. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ Kirby, Roger (6 April 2021). "Tribute to Professor Sir Paul Cosford | The Royal Society of Medicine". www.rsm.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
Further reading
- "De-stigmatising dementia, life with terminal cancer, and new models of care – APM conference day 1 - ehospice". ehospice.com. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- "Air quality: a briefing for directors of public health | Local Government Association" (PDF). www.local.gov.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- "And Life Goes On". The Hippocratic Post. 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
External links
- "Blog UK Health Security Agency: Paul Cosford". Public Health Matters blog. GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- Cosford, Paul (May 2019). "The future of infectious diseases". ted.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2022.