Temporary director of health appointed

A top Ministry of Health official has been temporarily appointed director general of health while the State Services Commission (SSC) continues its search for the "right candidate".

Andrew Bridgman, the ministry's corporate services deputy director general since October 2007, will take over the role from Stephen McKernan from the end of the month.

The position has been re-advertised after New Zealand Doctor magazine criticised the original ad, saying it was small given the size of the role.

SSC deputy commissioner of state sector performance Peter Brown said in a letter to the magazine's editor that online advertising was more effective than large, costly print ads.

However, a second, larger ad was run.

SSC communications manager Jason Ryan today said there was nothing unusual about the delay in making a permanent appointment and it did not necessarily mean there was a lack of appropriate candidates.

"The role of director general of health is a very big job, critical to New Zealand's success. We work extraordinarily hard to ensure we get the right candidate," he said.

Mr McKernan announced in March that he was resigning.

- NZPA