Patterson returns temporarily as acting chief public health officer
Doctor who led Nunavut through COVID-19 pandemic will serve for two weeks while Dr. Sean Wachtel is on leave
Effective Wednesday, Dr. Michael Patterson assumes the role of the acting chief public health officer of Nunavut for the next two weeks while Dr. Sean Wachtel is away on leave, the Government of Nunavut announced. (File photo by David Venn)
Dr. Michael Patterson has taken on the role of acting chief public health officer for Nunavut for the next two weeks, the GN announced Wednesday.
Patterson returned to his former post on Wednesday while current public health officer Dr. Sean Wachtel is away on leave, GN spokesperson Danarae Sommerville said in a news release.
Patterson was Nunavut’s chief public health officer for four years until leaving the post late last year to return to full-time work at Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit.
“During the interim, Dr. Patterson will be taking over the roles and responsibilities as outlined under the Public Health Act to ensure the continued health and safety of Nunavummiut,” Sommerville said.
Asked in an interview Wednesday why Wachtel is on leave, Health Minister John Main said “I’m not prepared to speak to that right now and it’s just a temporary arrangement.”
Why is it so important news for this announcement ?, just after the chief public health officer calls for Federal help for TB outbreak and he goes on two weeks leave, where his experience is crucial and important in containing to protect against infectious diseases. It’s understandable that GN did not like his approach and the Health Minister can’t get into details , speaks volumes about his leave.
Honest , hardworking employees who want to see a change can’t survive in Nunavut Government. This is another story and pretty soon another news will follow saying that he no longer works.
Well, it’s not just summer holidays or they wouldn’t be telling us about it.
Nunavut has to go back to hiring the best person for the job. Patterson is stable, competent, caring and capable. I hope he wasn’t removed to make room for Wachtel in the first place. If he was, put him back in the role and keep him there.