Long-serving MSG consultant retires

Thursday 24 March 2022

Guernsey is looking for a new consultant gastroenterologist following the retirement of Dr Hamish Duncan.

Dr Duncan, pictured top, has left the Medical Specialist Group (MSG) and retired to Portugal after looking after hundreds of local patients over more than a decade working in Guernsey. He said that in retirement he would "miss helping patients".

For now, the MSG has recruited a locum consultant gastroenterologist as a  temporary measure while it searches for a long-term replacement.

"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," said Dr Duncan.

‘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."

Pictured: Dr Hamish Duncan has seen hundreds of patients at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (left) and the Medical Specialist Group (right).

MSG chairman 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.

"Hamish joined us in 2011 and was only the MSG’s second GE [gastroesophageal] 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."

In the meantime, Dr Sherzad Balata has joined the MSG as a locum consultant gastroenterologist.

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.

"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 [for Dr Duncan]," said Dr Yarwood.

"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."