Retiring healthcare pair head south

Dr Jerry Gathercole and wife Sue at their retirement farewell.

A well-known Whangarei surgeon and his anaesthetist wife have both retired from Northland District Health Board and plan to live in the South Island.

Jerry Gathercole and wife Sue have between them spent many years working in the region and were farewelled last week with a function at the DHB.

Dr Gathercole is the man responsible for introducing the 'Grommet Blitz' to Northland and much more but the well-respected Northland ear, nose and throat surgeon has decided to retire along with his wife.

He pioneered ontological health and improving outcomes for indigenous people in Northland, has been the ORL consultant/head and neck surgeon at Whangarei Hospital since 1980 after moving to New Zealand where he trained in otolaryngology. His registrar training gave him a huge variety of patients to work with, as well as the opportunity to spot important connections between middle ear health and socioeconomic status early in his career.

After being appointed as consultant at Whangarei Hospital, he soon earned a reputation as a knowledgeable and caring doctor and was involved in establishing the middle ear caravan service in Northland.

The 'Grommet Blitz' was set up to accelerate the process of identifying children with glue ear and providing an early surgical intervention service throughout Northland. He took an active interest in indigenous ENT health and ran fortnightly clinics in the Far North where accessing health is an issue.

He also co-authored a glue ear book used by general practitioners throughout the country as a reference work.

With another Whangarei surgeon Dr Gathercole was one of the first doctors in New Zealand to receive an Australasian award for their service to the community.

He and Mr Milsom received the Outstanding Service to the Community Award at the inaugural Northland Health Sector Awards in August 2014.

When asked what he will miss the most Dr Gathercole said the patients - "the grateful, grateful patients; and the team, staff and colleagues."

As well as his passion for the job, Dr Gathercole fell in love with the outdoors in New Zealand and has spent many hours fishing and hunting and the couple plan a lifestyle switch to Wanaka. "I've really enjoyed the lifestyle of Northland but we've decided to retire to Wanaka for a change. It's a whole different world there and we're looking forward to biking and skiing. We may come back or we may not," he said.