Public Hospital Specialists Welcome New Minister of Health

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
MONDAY 6 OCTOBER 2014

Public Hospital Specialists Welcome New Minister of Health

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) welcomes the appointment of Dr Jonathan Coleman as the new Minister of Health.

“We’re particularly delighted that a medical doctor has been appointed to the position,” says ASMS Executive Director Ian Powell.

“It’s been many years since a medical doctor drove the discussions on health policy around the Cabinet table, perhaps as far back as Maui Pomare who was the Minister of Health from 1923 to 1926,” says Ian Powell, ASMS Executive Director. There has been at least one dentist since that time.

“Dr Coleman will bring valuable experience and understanding of what it is like to practise medicine. We are looking forward to working closely with him and will to engage with him at the earliest opportunity.”

Mr Powell says Dr Coleman has inherited a high quality public health system with the potential to be the best in the world, and a health workforce with standards of practice that are second to none.

“There are significant issues requiring attention in the health sector, such as the pressures on the hospital specialist workforce, and public hospital specialists are ideally placed to help Dr Coleman address these. They’re skilled, experienced and committed to delivering the best possible health care, and they have a great deal of expertise to offer.”

Mr Powell noted Dr Coleman has also picked up the Cabinet portfolio for sport and recreation, which is a very good fit with health and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

ENDS

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