THE senior clinician at the forefront of Jersey’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic is one of three consultants who are due to retire during the next six months.
Deputy medical officer of health Dr Ivan Muscat, who is also a consultant specialising in microbiology, infection and genitourinary medicine, will retire next month. His departure will be followed by the retirement of consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Kathy Gillies in June, while Dr David Ng, consultant gastroenterologist, is due to retire in September.
Health Minister Karen Wilson paid tribute to the departing staff and outlined plans for their replacement, as well as other new consultants.
She said: ‘All three have provided wonderful care and treatment to Islanders during their careers and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.
‘Although we are losing some valued colleagues, I would like to reassure Islanders that plans and funding are in place to find their replacements – in fact, a full-time consultant in sexual health, HIV and viral hepatitis has recently started in post, which is the first time Jersey has had a full-time consultant in this area.’
Deputy Wilson said advertising for replacement consultants for Dr Muscat, Dr Gillies and Dr Ng had now started, in addition to a total of nine new consultants.
‘It is encouraging that we have attracted such a high number and calibre [of candidates] and I am confident this success will continue in the next round of recruitment,’ she said.
