Woman takes top health job

The toughest medical job in Britain has gone to a woman for the first time. Dame Sally Davies was yesterday appointed Chief Medical Officer, advising the Government on public health.

Dame Sally, who has been interim chief medical officer since Sir Liam Donaldson retired last May,was chosen ahead of Steve Field, former chair of the Royal College of GPs, and Gabriel Scally, a director at the South-West Strategic Health Authority.