Tuesday, February 4News That Matters

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard to step down from high job

John Gerrard will step down as Queensland’s Chief Well being Officer subsequent month, describing threats of violence as a low level of his three years within the function.

The 62-year-old, who took on the job after Jeannette Younger’s 15-year stint, will return to the Gold Coast College Hospital as an infectious illness doctor.

A doctor, looking stern with a stethoscope around his neck, stands in a hospital hallway.

Dr John Gerrard will return to the Gold Coast College Hospital as an infectious illness doctor. (4 Corners)

In an interview with ABC Information, Dr Gerrard stated he was happy with his work steering Queensland by way of the COVID pandemic after the state’s borders reopened on December 13, 2021 — his first day within the job.

He stated threats of bodily violence over his selections about COVID-19 had been “in all probability the bottom level in my time on this job”.

“Somebody threatened to interrupt my legs after which break them once more. That was horrible,” Dr Gerrard stated.

“Individuals had such sturdy views with COVID. There have been excessive views on either side – from these individuals who thought we had been doing an excessive amount of, we had been exaggerating, and people individuals who thought we weren’t doing sufficient.

“It wasn’t only a matter of steering a path in a single route or the opposite, there have been excessive views throughout the vary.”

As he prepares to go away the function on the finish of his three-year contract, Dr Gerrard stated “I might wish to imagine I’ve accomplished the best factor”.

Chief Health Officer John Gerrard standing in front of a sign explaining the rules.

John Gerrard changed Jeannette Younger as chief well being officer in November 2021. (ABC Information: Michael Lloyd)

Management throughout the pandemic

He stated he was happy with guiding Queenslanders out of the pandemic “when most individuals had been nonetheless very afraid of the virus”.

“I had had that have of seeing COVID earlier than and after vaccination. I used to be assured that the an infection, the virus, was not one thing we would have liked to dread anymore,” Dr Gerrard stated.

“Clearly, some folks nonetheless had extreme illness, notably older Queenslanders over the age of 75 and even some youthful. However for many of us, it was not totally different to different viral infections.”

Premier David Crisafulli stated Dr Gerrard had suggested of his determination to go away the function throughout caretaker mode earlier than the October 26 state election.

“He is made a giant contribution, and he needs to proceed to make a contribution, however now on the front-line,” Mr Crisafulli stated.

“We need to thank him for all his contribution throughout a extremely tough time for the state.”

In an electronic mail to Queensland Well being workers, the division’s new Director-Normal David Rosengren stated Dr Gerrard can be remembered for his “frank recommendation, pragmatic management, and distinctive communication expertise which enabled him to convey advanced info to Queenslanders and, in fact, his Panama hat”.

Dr Rosengren stated Dr Gerrard additionally triggered a dialog about social media and the well being of younger folks, which helped result in a nationwide dialogue in regards to the significance of defending younger folks on-line.

Dr Gerrard stated he would have stepped down as Chief Well being Officer earlier however had delayed his departure to concentrate on the psychological well being and well-being of younger folks.

He stated the proof was “fairly convincing that the principle offender is social media, and this phenomenon has been occurring since 2010”.

John Gerrard smiling in front of a brick wall.

Dr Gerrard delayed his departure to concentrate on the psychological well being of younger folks. (Provided: Queensland Well being )

“I issued a public well being alert about this matter and stated that we would have liked to do one thing to cease younger folks uncovered to social media and struggling hurt,” Dr Gerrard stated.

“I might wish to imagine that nationally, this performed some half in driving this response across the nation, in order that we’re now seeing laws being launched at a nationwide degree.

“I am happy with that.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated this week legal guidelines can be launched to Parliament earlier than the tip of the yr banning social media for youngsters underneath 16.

Dr Rosengren stated there can be a global recruitment marketing campaign early subsequent yr for a brand new Queensland chief well being officer.


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