Paediatric Society Congratulates Minister

For immediate release

6.5.11

The Paediatric Society of New Zealand congratulates Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett on the appointment of the new Children’s Commissioner, Dr Russell Wills. Dr Wills, a practicing paediatrician from the Hawke’s Bay will take over the role in July.

Dr Wills will continue his clinical work on a part-time basis in the Hawke’s Bay. As Children’s Commissioner, his contribution to the health and welfare will be huge for all of the children of New Zealand, according to Dr Rosemary Marks, President of the New Zealand Paediatric Society. “The response from New Zealand paediatricians has been unequivocally positive. Russell Wills is a perfect appointment, especially given that he will continue his community paediatric work in the Hawke’s Bay so he will maintain his links with clinical work,” said Dr Marks.

Dr Wills has been instrumental in setting up interventions for family violence in the Hawke’s Bay, having trained over 1500 staff to ask the hard questions around domestic abuse. He has also acted as a National Paediatrician for Plunket and is the Paediatric Society’s spokesperson on child abuse.

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