General Paediatrics at the Children’s Specialist Centre, Christchurch. Philip has been a  member of the Children’s Specialist Centre since 2006. He is a general paediatrician. He trained at St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College, University of London, graduating in 1974. After working for a year in England he came to New Zealand and began training in Paediatrics in Dunedin. He then returned to England for 2 years advanced training before being appointed as a Paediatrician at Timaru Hospital, where he spent 35 years, retiring from there in 2016

 Paediatric practice has evolved with the times; many childhood diseases of the past are not seen these days with further vaccine development; severe asthma requiring hospital admission is now unusual,  and premature or sick babies can now be admitted to specialist neonatal units.

In recent years there has been a greater demand for the assessment and help for behavioural, learning and developmental problems in children, such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and developmental delay.

As the parent of 4 children, now adults with their own children, Philip has learned that parenting is a very challenging job which requires and deserves the additional input of extended family members. His motto is

“If we look after the parents then they can look the children”

“If I have learned only one thing it is this if we look after the mothers, then they can look after their children.”

Philip’s current role at Children’s Specialist Centre encompasses this goal as he works to improve the lot of kids’ health in all ways.

Philip is also Assistant Clinical Lecturer at Christchurch Clinical School and a stalwart and active member of the Paediatric Society of New Zealand.