Chief medical officer leaving in November

Southern District Health Board chief medical officer Nigel Millar has resigned.

Dr Millar, a geriatrician and internal medicine physician, is leaving to "pursue different opportunities", SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming said.

Dr Millar (64) joined the SDHB as chief medical officer in 2019, having previously held the same role at the Canterbury District Health Board for slightly more than 10 years.

His job meant Dr Millar has been one of the board’s most visible executives.

He has often been the board’s spokesman following patient complaints, and more recently has also had to deal with problems relating to cancer patient waiting lists and the aftermath of the "code black" alert, which was called briefly at Dunedin Hospital after the facility became overcrowded.

Dr Millar will remain in his role until November.

"While there will be opportunities ahead to acknowledge Nigel’s many qualities and contributions, it is clear we are losing a compassionate, dedicated and experienced clinical leader," Mr Fleming said.

"Nigel has been committed to improving the quality of services being provided across the southern health system, and has been central to our change journey over the past years."

Dr Millar has also served on several national committees, many of them in his specialty of geriatrics.

He did not wish to comment yesterday, but Mr Fleming said Dr Millar had made a major contribution.

"This includes a strong belief in harnessing the power of digital technologies to improve systems and experiences for patients, and Nigel has been a passionate advocate for developing the new Dunedin Hospital as a truly digital hospital."