The double-act of the Prime Minister and the Director-General at media conferences has led to an inevitable politicisation of the Director-Generals role. This article, written by David Codyre, Ainsleigh Cribb-Sua and David Todd, outlines progress in rollout, challenges faced and what is being learnt, Health priorities of older adults often include longevity, however health outcomes such as quality of life and independence are often considered to be as important or more important than a long life. She was Director of the Cancer and Chronic Disease Research Group at University of Otago. Interim Director, Prevention - Astrid Koornneef. [3][4][5] His mother was a schoolteacher, while his father was a lieutenant colonel in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (Territorial Force) and a manager at Mitsubishi Motors in Porirua, and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1974 New Year Honours. A new director of public health has been announced by the Ministry of Health. The ministry said in a statement that a process was underway to recruit a new Director of Public Health, but Dr Jim Miller, from Toi te Ora Public Health, Bay of Plenty DHB, would be the acting director from April 11. It is an inevitable consequence of the Governments too narrow focus from the outset of treating Covid-19 solely as a public health issue. As the first Medicare Local in Australia, she oversaw the team that developed the initial commissioning principles and frameworks that later formed the basis for many of the Australian Government Department of Health's national commissioning policies that now guide the work of the Primary Health Networks across 31 regions of Australia. That does not rule out swift, novel, or agile solutions being devised, but rather ensures that they are firmly, not capriciously, based. "Niki has decided it's time for a break and to spend some time with her family. Her work has been focused on health systems, addressing inequity in health and cancer. He has specialist qualifications in Medical Administration and General Practice. She is experienced in change leadership, Pacific health equity and designing new models of care with communities. Indeed, ministers have frequently been unwilling to comment on any developing situation until they have received the Director-Generals advice.. McElnay, C., & Hawke's Bay District Health Board,. The new agency will also advise the Director-General of Health on theses issues. For three years, 2006-2009, she was Regional Director of Training at the Australasian College of Public Health Medicine. Hitting "such high vaccination rates" had been a particular highlight, he said, including the high uptake for Mori and Pasifika aged 65 and older. In this role, Jeremy provides national leadership for the planning and delivery of capital projects across the motu. No longer does he appear as the impartial adviser offering considered, detached professional advice to the Government, but rather more as the explainer, amplifier, and defender of the Government decisions, in a manner that not even many ministers demonstrate. This was a major policy announcement that, if it is in fact government policy, should have come from either the Prime Minister or the Minister of Health, not a public servant. This included working for the National Hauora Coalition and Procare Health and Homecare Medical. (1991). Fionnagh has also been Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland and a Past President of Children's Healthcare Australasia. A new Director of Public Health has been appointed and will join Manat Hauora on 15 August, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says. While youre here would you like to sign up to any of our other email newsletters? Nicola Hill will act as Chief Executive of the Cancer Control Agency while Dr Sarfati is acting Director-General of Health. Former minister Peter Dunne says Judith Collins personalised attacks and Nationals ineffectiveness over the Covid response make it hard to take the Opposition party seriously. The Ministry of Health is the Governments chief advisor and steward of New Zealands public health system. For three years, 2006-2009, she was Regional Director of Training at the Australasian College of Public Health Medicine. She comes from a clinical background, beginning her experience with nursing and has worked in frontline mental health services and leadership roles in District Health Boards. Northland . But it cant continue to conceal its hand for long. Most recentlythe interim National Director Hospital & Specialist Services for Te Whatu Ora, Dr Bramley was previously the Chief Executive of Waitemat DHB for more than 10 years serving a population of around 625,000 people and a staff of 8,700. She is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine and is registered with the New Zealand Medical Council. Caroline Ann McElnay QSO (/mk.lne/) is a medical officer in New Zealand. She is currently a Lancet Commissioner for the Health Systems and Cancer Lancet Commission, and a member of the International Advisory Committee to Lancet Oncology, the Advisory Committee to International Agency for Research on Cancers (IARC) Pacific cancer hub, IARCs international expert group on social inequalities in cancer, and the Board of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership. Through this pathway, she progressed to complete the NHS Management Development Programme and longer term has led large and complex health services in Aotearoa New Zealand and Queensland. He was awarded Fellowship of the New Zealand Medical Association in 2011 for services to the profession and the public. Dr Mark Jacobs is the Director of Pacific Technical Support and WHO Representative to the South Pacific. The Director-General of Health will lead the Ministry and, alongside the chief executives of Health New Zealand and the Mori Health Authority, the wider sector through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the forthcoming significant change to New Zealands health system. The new Director of Public Health will provide leadership across the system, helping us stay closely connected with the new entities Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora, Dr Old says. She has worked at University of Otago Department of Public Health since 2004 and was Associate Professor and Professor there from 2013. 5 Director-General of Health Salary: NZ$69,671 Allied Health Avg. She was also joint Associate Director of Nursing: Mori at Auckland District Health Board and the University of Auckland for four years. Dr Dale Bramley - National Director, Improvement and Innovation Dr Nick Chamberlain - National Director, National Public Health Service Fionnagh Dougan - National Director, Hospital & Specialist Services Jeremy Holman - Chief Infrastructure and Investment Officer Rosalie Percival - Chief Financial Officer She advocated for health equity in the region and in 2014 she published a major report on the subject. Bloomfield will be in his role for the first stages of the new health system, with the establishment of Health NZ and the Mori Health Authority from July 1, replacing the country's 20 district . If you can help us, please click the button to ensure we can continue to provide quality independent journalism you can trust. Burnout is thought to have played a major role in their decisions to leave, and it's a factor that is being felt across the whole health sector, along with Covid-fatigue. Prior to that he held a similar role at Counties Manukau DHB for six years. Her last day in the role was 7 April. [2], McElnay, one of seven children, grew up on a farm in Bushmills, Northern Ireland. [10], Colleagues describe Bloomfield as "measured, methodical, calm and sensible". With the Government having decided in the middle of the pandemic to completely upend the organisation of the public health system over the next two to three years, and the current mounting crisis regarding the availability of intensive care beds, it would not be unreasonable to expect the Director-General to be at the centre of all those issues, but there currently seems to be a vacuum of official leadership or even interest in these matters. She is very knowledgeable about the health reforms and is dedicated to improving equity of outcomes in the health system.. The Covid-19 emergency legislation was due to expire next May after two years, but the Government has recently introduced legislation to extend it for a further year. Maree held several senior roles in the Ministry for Social Development in Policy and Service Delivery and in the Ministry for Children. She is currently a commissioner for the Lancet Commission on Health Systems and Cancer, a member of the International Advisory Committee to Lancet Oncology, a member of the Board of the International Cancer Benchmarking Programme (ICBP), and a member of the Advisory Committee to the International Agency for Research on Cancers (IARC) Pacific cancer hub. Deputy Director of Public Health Jun 2018 - Apr 20223 years 11 months Wellington, New Zealand Principal Technical Specialist Feb 2013 - Jun 20185 years 5 months Wellington, New Zealand. Dr Ashley Bloomfield scores try in annual parliamentary rugby match", "The best dressed Kiwis list is out, who makes the cut? McElnay, C., & University of Manchester. John is affiliated to Ngti Rkaipaaka, Ngti Kahungunu and Ngti Rongomaiwahine. He was also proud of the efforts to raise uptake among younger Mori, where coverage still lags well behind non-Mori. [28], In early April 2022, Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes announced that Bloomfield would step down as Director-General of Health on 29 July 2022. John began his career in the Department of Conservation in 1989 (working on Treaty of Waitangi policy and negotiations), before moving on to the Ministry of Education (Mori Education Group) in 1991. "Caroline is highly respected by her team, her colleagues both within the Ministry and the broader sector, and by ministers. I am very pleased to appoint Dr Sarfati to this acting role, said Deputy Public Service Commissioner Helene Quilter. "Few would be able to say they've made a greater sacrifice than Dr Bloomfield.". She joined the Ministry from Te Arawa Whnau Ora where she was Chief Executive. Dr Tukuitonga, from the Pacific island of Niue, was formerly the Director of SPC's Public Health Division. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from the University of Otago. He was also a member of the Mori review group advising on the health and disability reforms. Earlier today Bloomfield said he had received positive feedback from the public, and while there were some vitriolic responses, much worse had been directed at female colleagues - though he didn't name anyone. As New Zealand moves from crisis to recovery mode the need to support local industry has been brought into sharp relief. Perhaps in part due to the relative effectiveness of the COVID-19 measures taken by the New Zealand Government, Bloomfield has developed a cult following. Rather, as the current problems with border control, managed isolation, economic re-integration, and policing demonstrate all too bleakly, it required a whole of government approach that the Director-General of Health and the ministry were never going to be capable of providing. [29], In late July 2022, Bloomfield ordered 14 territorial authorities including the Auckland Council, Hastings District Council, New Plymouth District Council, Rotorua Lakes District Council, Tauranga City Council, Waitaki District Council, Far North District Council, and the Whangarei District Council to add fluoride to their water supplies. Dean has led the analytics function across the Ministry, focussing on growing capability and standardising the way in which analytics and analysis are created and used. [2] Given the governments constant and frequently stated position that its Covid-19 response has always followed the public health advice, the legal niceties of the Covid-19 emergency legislation notwithstanding, the reality has been that the Director-Generals advice has normally prevailed. DESIGNED AND POWERED BY PAGEMASTERS PUBLISH. Love sport? The fact that there has been no official rejection of his comment suggests it is in fact government policy, so he was either making public something that had already been decided but not yet announced, or, worse, that he was telling the nation and the government at the same time what he expected to be the case. Avg. Dr Sarfati has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the public health system in New Zealand and I am very pleased to announce her appointment to the role, said Ms Quilter. The role of Director of Public Health was previously held by Dr Caroline McElnay, who resigned in April 2022 after holding the role for five years, including two years of the COVID-19 outbreak. During this time, she grew Te Pou to be internationally recognised for evidence-based workforce and information/research programmes in mental health, addiction and disability and she created strong sector partnerships to enhance peoples lives through service improvement. Te Whatu Ora is a nationwide organisation with leaders across the motu. These tensions created now will not be easily papered over. Robyn has worked in the health sector for over 30 years. The ministry is also having farewells this week for. John originally joined the Ministry of Health in 1993, as a foundation member of the then newly established Mori Health Directorate, Te Kete Hauora. This was a national role and involved leading a sizeable team from Whangarei to Southland delivering operations, maintenance and capital projects to local government clients across the country. She also led a Lancet Oncology series on cancer in small island developing states. The Governments first focus throughout the pandemic has been political choreography, not the public health response, writes Peter Dunne. [1] She was the director of public health for the New Zealand Ministry of Health from 2016 to 2022, and chaired the Pandemic Influenza Technical Advisory Group, which advises the Ministry on matters concerning the control of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. You'll find details of our wider leadership team below. Jeremy Holman joined Te Whatu Ora on 5 December 2022. [3][4][6], Bloomfield grew up in Tawa, a suburb of Wellington, and was educated at Scots College, where he was head prefect,[3] dux, played 1st XV rugby[7] and was a member of the cast of the college's production of Oklahoma! She also contributed to the set-up of the Childrens Ministry. In November 2020, Dr Jones was awarded a New Zealand Public Service Medal Award for his exceptional contribution to health in Hawkes Bay. In many ways, the unhealthy relationship between ministers and the Director-General undermines the usual separation between ministers and officials and, by extension, the impartiality of the public service. The question will still arise then about his future role. He is passionate about the health reforms and the unique opportunity offered for all involved to reshape the system to better meet New Zealanders needs. The ministry has also brought in a number of Medical Officers of Health, who have expertise in public health, on short term secondments from the sector, which means there remains a number of clinical staff in the sector able to be called on if needed.". McElnay plans to spend the next six months travelling, according to a ministry email obtained by the Herald and written by deputy director general of population health Deborah Woodley. This was seen as more in line in with conventional practice, and consistent with the traditional relationship between ministers and chief executives. As the chief steward for the health system, the Ministry will continue to set the strategic direction for health and will be responsible for developing national policy, regulation and monitoring. Jeremy started his career as a Royal Engineer officer in the in the British Army where he held a variety of leadership roles delivering critical infrastructure and large-scale construction programmes on deployed operations and across the defence estate. [10], From late 2010 to late 2011, based at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Bloomfield worked on non-communicable disease prevention and control with a global focus. 21 Jun, 2022 06:30 PM 3 mins to read. But it was also a very different role to the one he came into four years ago, and the timing was good for someone new to come in, Bloomfield said. How much of the air you're breathing is air someone else exhaled? He led the health response to the Havelock North campylobacter outbreak, co-chaired the Healthy Housing Coalition, provided leadership and expert advice on environmental health issues such as water regulation, and was part of Hawke's Bay's Covid-19 response. Details of expenditure for the Director-General of Health. Historically, the role of the Director-General, as chief executive of the Ministry of Health, has been to ensure the ministry carries out its statutory functions, including the medium and long-term sustainability of the public health system and is able to offer free and frank advice to successive governments. She completed her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) at the University of Otago in 1991. After Downer Group Jeremy held senior roles at Auckland Council and Air New Zealand where he ran the regional ground handing operations and worked alongside airport companies and other local stakeholders on the expansion and redevelopment of many of New Zealands regional airports. Fionnagh is a Member of the Health Roundtable and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She was Director of the Cancer and Chronic Disease Research Group at University of Otago. It inherited the functions of the former Health Promotion Agency including public health and population health policy, strategy, regulatory, intelligence, surveillance, and monitoring. The country's 12 public health units had no way of sharing details with each other at the start of the pandemic unless officials made phone calls to each other. From 2015 to 2018, Bloomfield was chief executive at Hutt Valley District Health Board. From 2015 to 2019, Diana wasthe co-head and then head of the Department of Public Health and the Director of the Cancer and Chronic Conditions (C3) research group at University of Otago, Wellington. She is a decisive health system leader with highly developed strategic thinking and transformational leadership skills, and has a strong drive to deliver equity and service excellence. The latest chapter in the removal of a 23-million-year-old whale relic sparks further fury. This follows the director general of health's surprise resignation that was announced earlier today, with his last day at the end of July. We will miss her greatly," said a ministry email in February, obtained by the Herald, and written by McElnay. Dr Colin Tukuitonga has served as Pacific Community Director-General since January 2014. This follows the director general of health's surprise resignation that was announced earlier today, with his last day at the end of July. Andrew is a public health physician and previously held positions as Associate Chief Medical Officer for Waitemat District Health Board (DHB), and as Clinical Director, Health Gain for Auckland and Waitemat DHBs. COMMENTS BY Jim Dowsett, Allan Vester, John Maindonald, Nick Duff & others, The Government has come to rely on the Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, in a way unprecedented in the NZ public service, writes Peter Dunne. [6], In the 2023 New Year Honours, McElnay was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order, for services to public health. But here is where the problems arise. Sir Ashley Robin Bloomfield KNZM (born March 1966) is a New Zealand public health official. He is based at the organisation's headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia. Dr Ashley Bloomfield is stepping down as Director-General of Health. Dr Nicholas Jones was announced on Monday as the new director of public health at the NZ Ministry of Health. Abbe Anderson brings diverse experience across hospital and primary care, including two decades leading complex system reforms. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said he was sad Bloomfield was leaving and he had saved thousands of lives. Find out what support is available near you. The Prime Ministers recent admission that the Director-General attends Cabinet meetings when Covid-19 is being discussed reinforces the worrying reality that the Director-General is now no longer an impartial public servant, but an unelected quasi-minister participating in the Cabinets decision-making in a way that no public servant previously has ever been allowed to do, no matter the crisis at hand, or which party has been in government. This page was last edited on 1 January 2023, at 06:36. He stated that this measure would boost the number of the New Zealand population receiving water fluoridation from 51% to 60%. She studied medicine at Queen's University Belfast and then public health at the University of Manchester. He sees relationships as being the foundation upon which good health care delivery is based and believes the value of continuity, which is at the heart of general practice, is vital in delivering better outcomes for people and their whnau. "After five years in the role of director of public health and five years of commuting from her Napier home Caroline has decided the time is now right for her to explore new opportunities and, initially, a wonderful six months of travel with her husband," Woodley said. He joined Manat Hauora from the Bay of Plenty DHB where he was Executive of Director Allied Health, Scientific and Technical. Margie started her career in the State Services Commission. Dr Sarfati will act in the role until a permanent appointee takes up the Director-General position. Andrew received his medical and public health degrees from the University of Auckland and is a Fellow of both the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine and of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine. She is a partnerships specialist and has a background in law and Pacific development. Interim Director, Outbreak Response - Matt Hannant. Fepuleai is an honorific (or chief title) from her family village of Saleaula, Savaii, Samoa. But, sadly, yet again, rather than rely on previous practice or international advice, this Government thought it knew best. The role of director of public health was previously held by Dr Caroline McElnay, who resigned in April. She is expected to announce her leaving while fronting the 1pm Covid-19 press conference tomorrow. [4], "Confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 61, bringing total to 708", "Coronavirus: Meet the experts advising the NZ Government on Covid-19", "Caroline McElnay - piloting the pandemic response", "Meet the Irish woman near the top of New Zealand's Covid-19 response", "McElnay: Building the fence at the top of the cliff", "Public health exodus: Chiefs Caroline McElnay, Niki Stefanogiannis join Ashley Bloomfield in departing from Ministry of Health", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caroline_McElnay&oldid=1130840829. Consequently, the Director-General has been left to face a personally invidious position once the current emergency fades. Interestingly, the statutory responsibility for personal health matters relating to public health; and regulatory matters relating to public health, such as pandemic response, lies with the Director of Public Health, not the Director-General. Celia has a background as an organisational psychologist, with over 12 years delivering organisational development consultancy services across the public and private sectors. Like or hate Sir John Keys suggested solutions for NZs Covid recovery, in one intervention the former Prime Minister has forced the Government and country to confront finding a way out of a drawbridge and lockdown mentality. He also has extensive experience working for Bay of Plenty DHB including time as the Clinical Director of Innovation and Improvement and as Acting Chief Medical Officer. Lorraine started her career as a registered nurse and then progressed into roles as a Nursing Leader and Nursing Director accountable for strategy, workforce planning, policy and primary healthcare delivery. She is passionate about equity and self-determination, is driven by a deep curiosity and excited by ingenuity. The Commission is running a recruitment process for the permanent Director-General of Health role and will advertise shortly. to ensure the health system delivers for all New Zealanders, with a focus on achieving more equitable outcomes for Mori. Margie's most recent role was as Chief Executive Officer, Counties Manukau Health. Dr Nick Chamberlain has been appointed Health New Zealand's national director of the new National Public Health Service. . Dr Sarfati holds Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from the University of Otago. "Along with many others in the health sector she has worked tirelessly, sacrificing many nights, weekends and weeks away from family to ensure that throughout our response, there has been strong, clear public health advice which has kept us all safe.". Dr Jacobs was previously the WHO Representative to Lao People's Democratic Republic from . Salary: NZ$68,467 Patient Counseling Avg. Between 2015 and 2019 Dr Sarfati was co-head and then head of the University of Otagos Department of Public Health. He has held DHB lead Chief Executive roles in Primary Care and Public Health. *See Pacific Health regional structure under Regional Leadership below. Interim Executive Director,Change Management Office TBA, Mahaki Albert, Maiaka Whakaruruhau Tikanga (Chief of Tikanga), National Director Markerita (Meg) Poutasi. The Director-General of Health is a pivotal role leading a sector critical to the overall wellbeing of New Zealanders. Catch up on the week's top stories, written by our award winning authors. Maree has had a wide range of experience in the public service, primarily in social sector policy relating to children, young people, families and communities. Dr Nicholas Jones, who is currently Clinical Director and Medical Officer of Health at Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Mui, Hawke's Bay, will take up the role based in the Public . National Director Commissioning Abbe Anderson, Chief Financial Officer Rosalie Percival, Interim Lead, Data and Digital Stuart Bloomfield, Chief Infrastructure and Investment Officer Jeremy Holman, Interim Lead, Corporate Services Sue Gordon, Interim Chief, Strategy, Planning & Performance Tracey Maisey, Interim Lead, Communications & Engagement Deidre Hill, Regional Director-National Public Health Service Dr Hayden McRobbie, Regional Director-Hospital and Specialist Services Mark Shepherd, Regional Wayfinder - Commissioning - Danny Wu (Interim), Regional Director- National Public Health Service Dr Natasha White, Regional Director- Hospital and Specialist Services Chris Lowry, Regional Wayfinder - Commissioning -Nicola Ehau (from 7 Feb), Interim Regional Director - National Public Health Service Peter Gush, Regional Director- Hospital and Specialist Services Russell Simpson, Regional Wayfinder - Commissioning - Tricia Keelan (from 13 Feb), Regional Director - National Public Health Service Vince Barry, Regional Director - Hospital and Specialist Services - Dan Pallister-Coward, Regional Wayfinder - Commissioning -Chiquita Hansen (from 13 Feb). Dr Sarfati is a public health physician, cancer epidemiologist and health services researcher with a world-leading reputation in cancer control strategy and research. Director-General of Health appointed 30 November 2022 The Deputy Public Service Commissioner has today announced the appointment of Dr Diana Sarfati as Director-General of Health and Chief Executive, Ministry of Health. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. Audio. Dr Nicholas Jones has worked in public health for more than 30 years Photo: RNZ / Anusha Bradley Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield revealed that the new director of public health would be Dr Nicholas Jones. But the Health Act 1956 also provides that so long as the Director-General is a qualified medical practitioner, he or she can exercise the same powers in an emergency as a local Medical Officer of Health, but on a national basis. Dr Nick Chamberlain, who has been the chief executive of the Northland District Health Board since 2011, will be the national director of the new national public health service from 1 July.
