Media Release

Date: 25 July 2007

Acting Chief Medical Advisor Appointed

Waikato Hospital clinical unit leader Dr Tom Watson has been appointed Waikato District Health Board acting chief medical advisor (CMA).

Dr Watson takes up his appointment on Monday July 30 replacing Dr Pim Allen who resigned in May after more than three years with the board as CMA.

Dr Allen and her husband Stuart will be based in Queenstown where the couple have a holiday home.

Dr Watson will continue his current clinical duties which include two days a week of clinical anaesthesia - mostly paediatric and neuro anaesthesia. He will also spend a day a week as a consultant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Waikato Hospital and remain on call for after hours intensive care cover.

Dr Watson, a South African with New Zealand citizenship, is expected to spend up to two days a week as acting chief medical advisor.

"I'm interested in learning as much as I can while I'm in the position." He did not rule out applying for the job when it is advertised externally later in the year.

Dr Watson has worked in South Africa, London and Melbourne. He came to New Zealand in July 1986 to take up a position as senior registrar in the anaesthetics department at Waikato Hospital and is now the clinical unit leader for anaesthetics, operating theatres' intensive care and the emergency department.

In his spare time Dr Watson enjoys fly fishing, pheasant hunting, exercising, blues music, good food and good wine. His partner Susan Woodhouse if the Department of Conservation solicitor for the central North Island.

Waikato DHB acting chief executive Jerry Rickman said the DHB was lucky to have such an outstanding replacement for Dr Allen.

ENDS