The interim chief executive officer of Tasmania’s new statewide health agency has assured doctors her interest in alternative therapies will not influence her job.
Dr Anne Brand was appointed to head up the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) from next week while the search for a permanent CEO continued.
She came under fire from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) because of her side business offering alternative therapies.
The AMA’s Dr Tim Greenaway said Dr Brand’s appointment made a “laughing stock” of Tasmania’s health system.
In a statement this morning, Dr Brand said she was surprised and disappointed by the attack from the AMA.
“I can assure the AMA that my personal interests have absolutely no bearing on my role as acting CEO of the THS,” she said.
“It is also incorrect to infer from my business interests that I do not have great respect for Western medicine.
“In any case, as a manager it is not my role to offer any clinical or medical advice.
“That has always been the domain of doctors and medical staff, not the CEO, and that will remain the case while I am acting in the role.”
Dr Brand has not applied for the permanent CEO position.