The curious case of the disappearing Queensland Health appointee

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls and his department are refusing to detail why external recruitment has resumed for the state’s chief health officer after the chosen candidate was dumped.

Dr Krispin Hajkowicz was set to be announced as the formal replacement for Dr John Gerrard – who left at the end of his term in December – after a search by recruitment agency HardyGroup on behalf of Queensland Health.

The firm first announced it had partnered with the department to recruit for the role in May, with applications closing about one month later. But in recent days, HardyGroup shared the news again, and online job ads reappeared.

Why Hajkowicz’s selection, which the department was preparing to announce, was scuttled – and by whom – was unclear.

Hajkowiscz, a senior infectious diseases specialist at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, was previously appointed to the role under the former Labor government to replace now-Governor Jeannette Young.

Just days before his start date in late 2021, Hajkowiscz decided not to take up the position at that time for personal reasons. Details of the recent recruitment process have been confirmed by this masthead.

A spokesperson for Nicholls declined to be drawn on the reason for the latest recruitment effort, or whether a candidate had been chosen.

“The appointment of a qualified chief health officer is currently under way through a recruitment process conducted by Queensland Health,” the spokesperson said.

“The acting chief health officer will continue to provide advice until a permanent appointment is made.”

Responding to similar questions, a Queensland Health spokesperson said “a campaign to recruit a permanent chief health officer is ongoing”, but they were unable to give any further detail.

“Queensland Health encourages suitably qualified medical professionals to apply for this unparalleled opportunity to shape the future of healthcare in Queensland,” the spokesperson said.

“Since the departure of Dr John Gerrard in December last year, the chief health officer role has been performed by two of our most respected and experienced clinicians, Dr Heidi Carroll and currently Dr Catherine McDougall.

“Both have done an excellent job leading the preventative and public health agendas.”

HardyGroup and Hajkowicz were contacted for comment.

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