Queensland chief health officer recruitment reopens to previous applicants following replacement’s shock resignation

Unsuccessful applicants who didn’t get the nod to replace Dr Jeannette Young are now being considered for the role, as Queensland Health scrambles to find a new chief health officer after her replacement-in-waiting resigned out of the blue.

Officials are reconsidering the previous applicants who put their hand up for chief health officer in the wake of the shock resignation of Krispin Hajkowicz that’s been described as both sad and unexpected. 

Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Friday conceded the situation wasn’t ideal but insisted Queensland Health wouldn’t “miss a beat” as authorities race to make a permanent appointment. 

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the appointment panel was “reconvening to consider the current application pool from the CHO recruitment process”.

Mr Miles said Dr Hajkowicz’ resignation was unexpected. 

“It’s sad that Dr Hajkowicz can’t take up the role but we are very well served by our deputy chief health officers as well as the very substantial team that we’ve built around them,” he said.

“I’m very confident that with Dr Peter Aitken acting … and the director-general moving quickly to find a new recruit for the ongoing role we’re not going to miss a beat.”

Outgoing Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young with her one-time replacement Dr Krispin Hajkowicz. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

In a shock announcement on Thursday, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath revealed Dr Hajkowicz would no longer be taking up the top job on Monday as planned, citing personal reasons. 

It’s unclear as to whether he will remain in his current role as director of infectious diseases at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Mr Miles said Dr Hajkowicz had asked that his privacy be respected. 

“He’s a very, very good doctor and I certainly hope that he continues to work with us in Queensland Health,” he said.

Asked about what handover would take place, in light of there being a significant handover between Dr Hajkowicz and Jeannette Young, Mr Miles conceded it was not ideal. 

“Obviously it’s not the outcome that we wanted, it’s not ideal, but what we did at the same time is put a lot more infrastructure around the role,” he said.

“We have a lot bigger teams around the chief health officers.

“I’m quite confident that that will allow for continuity in the advice that government receives as well as in the work that Queensland Health does.”

The Deputy Premier said everyone was focused on getting people vaccinated. 

Dr Aitken, who was announced as one of three new deputy CHO’s in September, will act as Queensland’s CHO in the interim.