Senior Clinician, Doctor Mark Patrick has been promoted to the Director of Paediatrics at the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS) based in Mount Isa.
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Dr Mark Patrick, decided before retirement to take on the position with one of his goals over the next year or two, to find a younger successor to him.
“I realised there was an area of need in the North West for an experienced paediatrician,” Dr Patrick said.
“I thought I could use my time here to improve the system, provide some stability for staff and patients in Paediatrics, and set my mind to succession planning as well.”
He answered the call, or rather “multiple calls” to take up the position which has been vacant since April 2014.
“I was essentially retired, but I’ve been doing locums at Mount Isa Hospital for years,” Dr Patrick said.
“I know that locums don’t have the same influence as permanent staff to influence and improve the system, so that was a challenge to me, and one that I’m happy to take up.”
Dr Patrick first came to Mount Isa in 1983 as a paediatric registrar and has worked at the hospital as a locum on many occasions since 2010.
“I’ve got to know Mount Isa pretty well over the years, and I think the city is an ideal place for a young physician with a family,” Dr Patrick said.
“The schools are good; it’s easy to live here, with no traffic or parking problems, and the position would suit someone young but with a bit of experience and the commitment to put in five or so years here.”
Born and bred in Brisbane, Dr Patrick completed his medical degree at the University of Queensland, and his paediatric training in Brisbane, Sydney and for three years in Canada.
Qualified as a paediatrician and gastroenterologist, he has been a senior lecturer at university as well as operating in private practice and in hospitals.
Dr Patrick said while at Mount Isa Hospital he would be using his extensive network in the paediatric fraternity in Queensland and further afield, to find a successor.