| Learn more about Dr. Dhamotharan . [17] In the first half of 2018, Bloomfield was seconded to the Capital & Coast District Health Board where he was interim chief executive. In this role, Jeremy provides national leadership for the planning and delivery of capital projects across the motu. Dr Diana Sarfati, Director-General of Health and Chief Executive, Ministry of Health. 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. She was Director of the Cancer and Chronic Disease Research Group at University of Otago. Before moving into the role of interim Regional Director Northern at Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, Fionnagh was the Chief Executive of Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs from 2019 to 2022. [3], Bloomfield completed several years of clinical work and from 1996[10] specialised in public health medicine,[11] concentrating on non-communicable diseases. Originally from Colorado in the USA, Abbe is a dual citizen of New Zealand and Australia and has undertaken executive study at Otago University and worked alongside rural hospitals in Te Waipounamu earlier in her career. These local authorities have between six months and three years depending on the circumstances to ensure that their water supplies are fluoridated. "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.". She managed large government programmes such as the White Paper for Vulnerable Children and the development of the Vulnerable Children Act. McElnay, whose last day is tomorrow and whose resignation was announced to ministry staff in February, has regularly fronted press conferences throughout the pandemic, usually when Bloomfield has been away. 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. He is also excited to work closely with the Mori Health Authority and the Public Health Agency. [31], In the 2023 New Year Honours, Bloomfield was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to public health. Outside her financial career path, she has also taken a keen interest in sustainable development and business practices. She completed her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) at the University of Otago in 1991. She is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine and is registered with the New Zealand Medical Council. Dr Mark Jacobs is the Director of Pacific Technical Support and WHO Representative to the South Pacific. She has worked at University of Otago Department of Public Health since 2004 and was Associate Professor and Professor there from 2013. This included working for the National Hauora Coalition and Procare Health and Homecare Medical. Without limiting section 3B, the Director of Public Health may from time to time, . Subscribe now to start a free 14-day trial. Diana was previously Tumuaki, Chief Executive & National Director of Te Aho o Te Kahu - Cancer Control Agency and prior to that shewas National Director of Cancer Control at the Ministry of Health where she oversaw the implementation of the agency. Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield in the Beehive theatrette. Video / NZ Herald. Dr Ashley Bloomfield is stepping down as Director-General of Health. Dr Sarfati has held a number of national and international roles. Fionnagh brings a clinical background to her work. 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. [2], McElnay's resignation as director of public health was announced to Ministry of Health staff in February 2022. She also led several change programmes relating to Child, Youth and Family, Vulnerable Children and the Ministerial Work Programme on Family and Sexual Violence. The Deputy Public Service Commissioner has today announced the appointment of Dr Diana Sarfati as Acting Director-General of Health and Chief Executive, Ministry of Health. From September to November 2019, she was the National Director of Cancer Control at the Ministry of Health. It inherited the functions of the former Health Promotion Agency including public health and population health policy, strategy, regulatory, intelligence, surveillance, and monitoring. *See Pacific Health regional structure under Regional Leadership below. [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 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. Dr Colin Tukuitonga has served as Pacific Community Director-General since January 2014. As New Zealand moves from crisis to recovery mode the need to support local industry has been brought into sharp relief. Diana is a public health physician, cancer epidemiologist and health services researcher, and she has a PhD from the University of Otago. Dr Diana Sarfati was appointed to the role of Director-General of Health and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health in November 2022 having acted in the role since July 2022. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins gave a personal thank you to the person he said Kiwis knew as "the DG". [12] From 2012 to 2015, he held leading positions across district health boards with Capital & Coast District, Hutt Valley, and Wairarapa. Following that, John worked for KPMG Consulting for 2 years and then for over 10 years he ran his own management consulting company, Kaipuke Consultants Limited. Sarahs management career has included policy, service delivery and operations, as well as leading and embedding organisational change. She is a partnerships specialist and has a background in law and Pacific development. Dr Jones has worked in public health for more than 30 years and has been part of the DHB executive leadership team as Health Improvement and Equity clinical director. From 2015 to 2018, Bloomfield was chief executive at Hutt Valley District Health Board. She is very aware of the mandated responsibilities of being entrusted with such significant funding, while being equally mindful of how we use that financial investment to improve equity of health outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand. Find out what support is available near you. Signal to noise - is AM radio really under threat. Dr Sarfati is currently the Acting Director-General of Health and Chief Executive, Ministry for Health, a role she has held since July 2022. "Few would be able to say they've made a greater sacrifice than Dr Bloomfield.". The ministry is also having farewells this week for director of public health Dr Caroline McElnay, and public health deputy director Dr Niki Stefanogiannis. 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. Dr Sarfati is a public health physician, cancer epidemiologist and health services researcher with a world-leading reputation in cancer control strategy and research. [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. The Director-General of Health is a pivotal role leading a sector critical to the overall wellbeing of New Zealanders. Margie's most recent role was as Chief Executive Officer, Counties Manukau Health. 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. Sir Ashley Robin Bloomfield KNZM (born March 1966) is a New Zealand public health official. The latest chapter in the removal of a 23-million-year-old whale relic sparks further fury. She also contributed to the set-up of the Childrens Ministry. 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He is based at the organisation's headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia. Markerita has also worked as the Director of Pacific Health for the Northern Region Health Coordination Centre where she led the regional (from Northland to Counties Manukau) approach to the Pacific health response to COVID-19 and partnered with the Pacific Provider Collective to develop a regional commissioning framework to deliver adaptive models of care. Director, Promotion - Kathrine Clarke. This provision was designed with a short-term national health crisis in mind and was the initial authority that the Government turned to when Covid-19 broke out. Dr Jones is very well-respected in the health sector, and he brings considerable experience and knowledge with him.. His entire life had been dedicated to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders . "She has been a tower of strength to me personally and to the rest of the ODPH (public health team). 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. The giant hole being left by Ashley Bloomfield at the top of the Ministry of Health is getting larger, with two top public health leaders also leaving this week. Reintegrating him back into the normal role of a normal chief executive will be a delicate task. This page was last edited on 1 January 2023, at 06:36. She is very knowledgeable about the health reforms and is dedicated to improving equity of outcomes in the health system.. Despite the health workforce crisis, government health officials have given short shrift to an unprecedented proposal to double the numbers of specialised nurses who can cover for a shortfall of GPs. And in the midst of a pandemic caused by an airborne virus, where are the riskiest places to be? A weekly digest of the latest news and insights on climate change and sustainability. But here is where the problems arise. She has worked at University of Otago Department of Public Health since 2004 and was Associate Professor and Professor there from 2013. She joined the Ministry from Te Arawa Whnau Ora where she was Chief Executive. [24][25][26], In November 2020, Bloomfield was named one of the best-dressed men on David Hartnell's best-dressed list. This was seen as more in line in with conventional practice, and consistent with the traditional relationship between ministers and chief executives. 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. Photo / Michael Cunningham. Caroline Ann McElnay QSO (/mk.lne/) is a medical officer in New Zealand. This would have allowed the Director-General to focus more specifically on the primary responsibilities of the role as chief executive of the Ministry of Health, including the medium and long-term sustainability of the public health system. Peter joins us from Te Ptaka Whaioranga Pharmac (also a crown entity) where he has had three stints, most recently as Director Engagement & Implementation. Implementation of the Integrated Primary Mental Health and Addiction programme across metro Auckland is well under way. 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. [10], Colleagues describe Bloomfield as "measured, methodical, calm and sensible". 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. This includes roles at the Ministry of Health (Deputy Director-General of Health), Counties Manukau District Health Board, Capital & Coast District Health Board, Labour Market Policy Group (Department of Labour) and Health Funding Authority. Ms Quilter said Dr Sarfati brings the skills and experience required to lead the Ministry of Health, and to contribute to the strategic leadership of the wider health system. Announcing this new permanent appointment, interim Health New Zealand Chief Executive Fepulea'i Margie Apa said Dr Chamberlain was an outstanding fit for the role. Whilst CEO of the Brisbane North Primary Health Network (PHN), Abbe successfully led the organisation through two significant government reforms to transition from a Division of General Practice to a Medicare Local and then to a PHN that commissions primary care services for a population of over one million people. The team is supported by leaders across the motu. Post comments with a Newsroom Pro subscription. 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. Nicola Hill will act as Chief Executive of the Cancer Control Agency while Dr Sarfati is acting Director-General of Health. 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 . He then moved to the Downer Group, where as a GM, Jeremy ran Downers water sector business. 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. Joe is an experienced clinical and people leader with a passion for being the bridge between policy and strategy, healthcare operations, and clinical standards to deliver tangibly better outcomes across Aotearoa. Prior to this, he has held a series of senior public health leadership roles. Dr Sarfati will. Nor should they have been expected to instead a multi-disciplinary, cross-agency approach should have been taken from the outset, as called for in the previous National-led governments updated 2017 pandemic action plan, to manage all aspects of the Governments response. Reader donations are critical to what we do. 5 Director-General of Health [3] With whnau whakapapa to Tikitiki in Tairawhiti, Peter is committed to achieving health equity for Mori and other priority populations. Dr Diana Sarfati was appointed to the role of Director-General of Health and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health in November 2022 having acted in the role since July 2022. Between 2015 and 2019 Dr Sarfati was co-head and then head of the University of Otagos Department of Public Health. From mid-2020, Robyn was Acting Deputy Chief Executive and supported the Director General with areas such as workforce development, COVID response and cross agency relationships. 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. All this was avoidable. From January to October 2021, Joe was the primary carelead for the COVID-19 Vaccination and Immunisation Programme, and in November 2021 he became the clinical lead for COVID Care in the Community. Salary: NZ$68,467 Patient Counseling Avg. The role of director of public health was previously held by Dr Caroline McElnay, who resigned in April. (1991). He returned to the Ministry of Health and took up his current position in 2019. 4 Department of Health [Repealed] Section 4: repealed, on 1 July 1993, by section 3(1)(a) of the Health Amendment Act 1993 (1993 No 24). Dr Ashley Bloomfield scores try in annual parliamentary rugby match", "The best dressed Kiwis list is out, who makes the cut? Possible Range. Dr Jones has worked in public health for more than 30 years. She was also joint Associate Director of Nursing: Mori at Auckland District Health Board and the University of Auckland for four years. Within Manat Hauora, Robyn established the Mental Health and Addiction Directorate team and led the DHB Performance Programme which established an intensive support programme to support DHBs with performance challenges. [3] She has three children. Renewed council efforts to control Otagos most notorious pest are not equal to the task of keeping rabbit numbers down a review has found. She is a respected and skilled senior leader with a public sector, clinical and academic background. Currently focusing in holistic Health and Population health promotion and prevention projects and models. We will miss her greatly," said a ministry email in February, obtained by the Herald, and written by McElnay. The Deputy Public Service Commissioner has today announced the appointment of Dr Diana Sarfati as Acting Director-General of Health and Chief Executive, Ministry of Health. Jacinda Ardern says a change in Covid-19 traffic light settings would not make a significant difference on surging case numbers. Prior to this Dr Sarfati was National Director of Cancer Control at the Ministry of Health to oversee the implementation of the agency. She is also a director on the boards of Beyond Blue, Australia's most recognised mental health charity. Dr Sarfati has held a number of national and international roles. New Zealand Doctor Online is not a consumer medical advice service. He was the public-facing health specialist liaising with the media during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand on behalf of the government, from the first press conference on 27 January 2020. COVID-19 vaccines available in New Zealand, Services and support for you and your child, Setting the direction for our new health system, Release calendar for our Tier 1 statistics, Chief Clinical Officers | Ng piha Hauora, Dr Diana Sarfati:Director-General of Health and Chief Executive, Robyn Shearer: Deputy Director-General, System Performance and Monitoring | Te Pou Mahi Pnaha, and Deputy Chief Executive, Celia Wellington: Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services | Te Pou Tiaki, Dean Rutherford: Deputy Director-General, Evidence Research and Innovation | Te Pou Whakamrama, Sarah Turner: Deputy Director-General, Government and Executive Services | Te Pou Whakatere Kwanatanga, John Whaanga: Deputy Director-General, Mori Health | Te Pou Hauora Mori, Dr Andrew Old: Deputy Director-General, Public Health Agency | Te Pou Hauora Tmatanui, Clare Perry: Deputy Director-General, Regulatory Services | Te Pou Whakariterite Ratonga, Maree Roberts: Deputy Director-General, Strategy Policy and Legislation | Te Pou Rautaki, Martin Chadwick:Chief Allied Health Professions Officer. [32], Member of the Order of the British Empire, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, University of Auckland's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, "Covid 19 coronavirus: Ashley Bloomfield stuns boy, 6, with handwritten response to letter", "Dr Ashley Bloomfield asked burning questions in final AM interview, reveals star sign", "Ashley Bloomfield's rise to the top the inside story", "Covid-19 coronavirus: Inside Dr Ashley Bloomfield's work and family bubble", "Hilary Barry shares photo of teen Ashley Bloomfield performing in 1983 school production of Oklahoma!