Compassionate carer

Photo/File

A doctor who died while biking on Saturday has been described as "second to none" for his compassion and caring by the head of the Whanganui District Health Board.

Chris Cresswell died while mountain biking at Matipo Park. DHB chief executive Julie Patterson called his death a "tragic loss" for the DHB community, describing him as very committed to the health service and the community, while also "challenging".

His dedication to social justice and his energy were admirable. She said "as Chris' whanau, especially Mandy and their two children, mourn Chris' death our hearts and prayers are with them. Their loss is also our loss."

Julie Patterson Photo/File

Mrs Patterson said Dr Cresswell's "dedicated service to our community through his work, over many years as an ED physician, has positively impacted the lives of thousands of patients and their whanau.

"He has also had a profound effect on the countless staff who have worked alongside him."

She also noted the acting ED head was "nothing if not a colourful character".
"His need to be always championing a cause made him interesting and at times challenging. "However, whilst we didn't always agree, our relationship was always respectful and constructive. I hugely admired Chris' strong commitment to social justice and the boundless energy he had for his multitude of causes, whether they be big or small."

The DHB head also made mention of Dr Cresswell's influence around all the hospital.
"Chris' contribution to our DHB extended well beyond his work as the medical leader of ED. Not the least of his contributions has been his work supporting and supervising our RMOs."

Mrs Patterson said part of his legacy would be the way those he tutored worked.

"For his compassionate caring, Chris was second to none. "One of his unseen legacies will be playing out day by day across hospital and health services well beyond Whanganui. Doctors from Chris' Whanganui 'alumni' will be providing patients and whanau with the same compassionate caring they saw Chris constantly role model."
She said it would be a long time "before the colour that Chris brought to our DHB returns. Go in peace Chris".