Stephen McKernan. Credit EY

Former director general of health and current oceania advisory partner for Ernst & Young (EY), Stephen McKernan has been selected to lead the Transition Unit charged with implementing the government’s Health and Disability System Review.

“Stephen McKernan’s deep and wide knowledge and experience of health and disability systems and services in New Zealand and internationally means he is well qualified to lead this crucial work,” said health minister Chris Hipkins. “The unit will carry out the detailed policy and design work for the changes we believe are necessary to improve our health and disability services and ensure they are sustainable for years to come.”

The unit will be staffed by health services experts from the ministry and other government agencies and will report to a ministerial group led by the prime minister and the ministers for health and finance.