Dr Paul Muir’s training and experience equip him to positively influence the future of healthcare delivery, amid the rapid pace of technological advancements and challenges including an ageing population and climate change.
Dr Paul Muir FRACMA embarked on his transformative journey in healthcare leadership through the RACMA Fellowship Training Program (FTP) in 2018, training primarily at North Shore Hospital in Auckland. Now, as the Clinical Services Planning Lead in the Office of the Chief Medical Officer at Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, and RACMA Lead Fellow for Supervision, Dr Muir continues to influence the future healthcare landscape across Aotearoa New Zealand.
A broad view of the health system
The RACMA FTP provided Dr Muir with a comprehensive understanding of how the various components of the health system interconnect. This broader perspective has been the foundation of his career, inspiring him to engage with healthcare on a macro level.
Today, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora employs around 90,000 people across the country, and Dr Muir’s work spans national clinical networks as well as localised projects at individual hospitals. His current involvement in a national epidemiological review of cardiac surgery in Aotearoa New Zealand exemplifies the scope of his work.
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“What I love is being able to engage in both front-line medicine and population-level health within the same day or week,” Dr Muir reflects. “It’s incredible to see how different parts of the public healthcare system interact and collaborate.”
Shaping the future
The master site planning of a hospital campus is one of Dr Muir’s most rewarding projects to date – a forward-thinking initiative, it required the capacity to envision the future of healthcare delivery.
“This project was fascinating because it wasn’t just about solving present-day issues,” he explains. “It was about anticipating future needs, considering technological advancements, and reimagining models of care.”
The project demanded deep clinical engagement and collaboration, encouraging healthcare professionals to think beyond current workflows and towards future possibilities. Dr Muir credits this experience with expanding his understanding, particularly through interactions with specialised healthcare architects.
Lessons from COVID-19: Investing in leadership
During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Muir played a critical role in an incident management team, tasked with preparing health services for a potential crisis. The speed of change was unprecedented.
“In just a few weeks, we achieved what would normally take a year,” Dr Muir recalls. “Traditional silos dissolved as everyone united towards a common goal.”
This experience underscored the importance of investing in leadership and management skills across all levels of an organisation.
“Leadership is not just about having a great executive team,” Dr Muir emphasises. “It’s about empowering everyone, from frontline staff to department heads, to step up and lead effectively.”
The future of medical leadership
Looking ahead, Dr Muir sees the role of health system leaders as increasingly vital, especially in the face of rapid technological advancements, climate change and an ageing population.
“The challenge will be reconfiguring healthcare delivery to meet these demands,” he says. “It’s an exciting time to be in medical leadership, with the potential to shape the future of healthcare over the coming decades.” Dr Paul Muir’s career is a testament to the power of strategic thinking, leadership and the ability to envision and shape the future of healthcare. His work continues to leave a significant impact on the health system in Aotearoa New Zealand, guiding it towards a future that is as dynamic and adaptable as the challenges it faces.
Where can the RACMA FTP take you?
Here’s a sample of some of the roles held by RACMA Fellows:
- Chief Executive Officer, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
- Deputy Secretary, Australian Department of Health
- National Director of Medical Services, Calvary Health Care
- Director Systems Improvement, Clinical Excellence Commission NSW
- Commissioner, Health NZ – Te Whatu Ora
- Director of Medical Services and Executive Manager of Safety and Health, Qantas
- Head, Therapeutic Goods Administration
- Chief Executive, South Australia Health
- Chief Medical Officer, Telstra Health
- Chief Executive, Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality and Safety Commission
- Head of Tasmanian Medical School, University of Tasmania
Author: Felicity Gallagher
17th October 2024
