Whānau Āwhina Plunket has welcomed a new clinical leader in Timaru.
Paul Watson has taken over the role from Raelene Todd, who retired in June after 39 years’ service.
Dr Watson is the first man to take up the role, which looks after South Canterbury, North Otago and Central Otago.
He described his background prior to his appointment as ‘‘pretty eclectic’’.
Having worked previously in clinical, nursing, academic and education roles, and holding a leadership role at a national level in Plunket he wanted something closer to the ground where he could support the home teams.
Dr Watson said a Timarubased job appealed to him because of the close links in rural communities.
‘‘It’s quite nice to be part of a connected team that’s delivering services to families.
‘‘There is a real opportunity to help support the team delivering those front line services in those areas.’’
He said that rural communities were quite tight-knit but also could be quite isolated, and that was where Plunket could really help.
‘‘It’s not just the nurse going out or the health worker, it’s the ability to link families up with each other, with other parents and community groups and that can really make a difference to people’s mental wellbeing and mental health.
‘‘Parenting is a great job but can also be a very tough job at times.’’
Dr Watson believes that diversity in the Plunket workforce is a good thing.
‘‘As a dad and as a granddad I bring a particular view of things that are perhaps of a different and diverse perspective and that can be useful.
‘‘We are encouraging that diversity in our workforce not only when it comes to gender but ethnicity and the different views that cover our boundaries.’’
Dr Watson said the role of a dad, granddad or male role model was really important in a child’s longterm development.
‘‘Where there is a lot of potential is promoting the role of adad, as an organisation we are open and encouraging of supporting of dads to be involved in the work we do and in particular the care of the children.
‘‘Dads can play a really important role in promoting breastfeeding and supporting partners to breastfeed.’’
When it came to the role of clinical leader Dr Watson said the most important part was supporting the staff to be the best they could be, so they could do the best for the families they were caring for.
‘‘My job is not about the hands-on delivery, I’m not visiting clients and families but I am here to support my staff to do the best they can and to link with the wider services in Plunket like the playgroups and volunteers that help support and connect families.’’
He said going forward Plunket needed to be responsive to changes in the communities such as more dads being at home or accommodating LGBT families and their needs.
‘‘Our community services are great at responding to local needs.
‘‘It’s constantly looking at the community needs and responding to it.’’
Dr Watson said he felt the weight of responsibility stepping into the role in terms of continuing the great work that had been done.
‘‘I’ve enjoyed it so far and been lucky to come into a settled team and great wider team as well, but I am looking to bring something new at the same time.’’
