Four highest polling nominees for Medical Council named

Four highest polling nominees for Medical Council named

The Medical Council today named the four highest polling nominees in its recent election.

Mr Philip Pigou, the Council’s Returning Officer and Chief Executive said that the election process had now been completed.

The names of the four highest polling nominees in order of voting are:
• Dr Curtis Walker
• Dr Pamela Hale
• Dr Jonathan Fox
• Dr Kathryn Baddock

‘I have today written to the Minister of Health, the Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman letting him know the outcome of the election and I look forward to the appointment of these candidates as members of Council by him.

‘The nominees are all well-known doctors within the profession and with their experience will add value to Council,’ said Mr Pigou.

Mr Pigou expects that the nominees will be appointed by the Minister for a 3 year term from 1 July 2015.

A total of 15 candidates stood in the Council election and the total number of valid votes was 3, 914.

There were 14 invalid votes.

The return percentage was 22.33 percent being 3, 924 votes from 17, 591 doctors who were eligible to vote.

Commenting on the voting turnout, Mr Pigou said, ‘It was a disappointing turnout and does not reflect the profession’s stated support for the election process.

‘The Health Practitioner's Competency Assurance Act is likely to soon undergo a review and the turnout for the Council election may be examined and it would be unfortunate if because of the poor turnout, the profession lost the opportunity to directly influence the make-up of the Council.’

ENDS

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