New health commissioner appointed

The new health and disability commissioner is Anthony Hill, currently a deputy director-general at the Ministry of Health, the Government announced today.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said Mr Hill would start his new role in July after 15 years in the ministry.

He is replacing Ron Paterson, who retired in March.

"Mr Hill has worked as the ministry's chief legal adviser and has been a deputy director-general for more than five-and-a-half years," Mr Ryall said.

"This is an important role in the health service. The commissioner and his office deal with patients' individual problems and concerns as well as looking at the overall performance of key parts of the system."

- NZPA