The Medical Specialist Group is to recruit a new consultant gastroenterologist following the retirement and move to Portugal of long-serving consultant Dr Hamish Duncan.
In the meantime, Dr Sherzad Balata has joined the MSG as a locum consultant gastroenterologist to ensure the continuation of a high-quality service for patients. Dr Balata has worked as a consultant in the UK since 2004 focusing on outpatient endoscopy lists and clinics for urgent and suspected cancer referrals.
MSG chair Dr Gary Yarwood said: “We are sad to lose Hamish who has been a great gastroenterologist, with a strong work ethic, and we wish him every happiness in his new life in Portugal. But we are very pleased to have found such a highly-experienced consultant as Dr Balata to treat and care for our gastroenterology patients while we recruit for a replacement.”
“Hamish joined us in 2011 and was only the MSG’s second GE consultant since the start of the States contract in 1996, ensuring a fantastic continuity of care for patients – something we intend to achieve with our next appointment.
“The whole recruitment process for a new consultant takes some time, including getting Royal College approval for the job description, but we intend to be out there soon seeking out the best candidates in what will be a competitive market.
Dr Duncan (pictured) said, “I have enjoyed my time working in Guernsey, being able to provide a gastroenterology consultant-delivered service for patients and follow patients through with their investigations and diagnosis, – something that is unfortunately largely no longer possible in the NHS to the detriment, I believe, of many people in the UK.
“I have been privileged to look after many wonderful people in Guernsey, many of whom I will remember well from caring for them as a consultant and from their positive feedback.
“I am looking forward to my retirement in Portugal, although I will miss helping patients, which I was trained to do, and which has always been my primary goal as a doctor.”
