Consultant Infectious Diseases Physician - Fixed Term / Locum

Palmerston North Hospital
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

Palmerston North Hospital is looking for locum or fixed-term cover for our Infectious Diseases service during a period of transition, with flexible dates available between January to December 2026. This is a sole-charge role onsite, supported regionally by colleagues in Wellington. Our ID service plays a vital role across the hospital, providing expert consultative advice for complex infections to support services in both inpatient and outpatient management.

You'll be backed by a dedicated IPC team, home IV antibiotic and vascular access teams, a full-time ID pharmacist, and an onsite microbiologist—plus, there are no formal on-call responsibilities. We're open to discussing part-time or remote options to suit your lifestyle.

About the Service

Our service is supported by a dedicated Infection Prevention and Control team, Home IV antibiotic and vascular access teams, a full-time ID Pharmacist, and an onsite Microbiologist. The ID team also supports the pharmacy-led Antimicrobial Stewardship programme, sits on the IPC committee and is involved in education across the organisation. The team work together with a Microbiologist and the lab team and the ****** Health service, including HIV, which is located on site.

Employing over 2500 people, MidCentral offers a supportive work environment that accepts and values all employees. We actively seek Māori kaimahi into our workforce and provide an environment which delivers our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

MidCentral region offers an excellent lifestyle for families with scenic spots for hiking and mountain-biking, great schools and tertiary institutions. With the mountains, city and sea at your doorstep, you'll get to taste the best of both worlds – the perfect blend of rural and city living.

About the Location

Manawatū offers the perfect blend of city convenience and rural charm. Whether you're drawn to peaceful village life, vibrant townships, or the buzz of the city, you'll find your ideal lifestyle here. It's a family-friendly region that's easy to live in and even easier to love. The region is also home to excellent schools and two tertiary institutions: Massey University and the International Pacific College.

Outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled for choice—beaches, ski fields, lakes, and mountains are all within reach, along with fantastic hiking and mountain biking tracks. With no traffic and a short commute to work, achieving true work-life balance is the everyday reality.

Our central location makes it easy to explore the rest of New Zealand, whether you're heading off on a road trip or catching a short flight.

For more information on living and working in the Manawatu click here

If you're interested and can provide some cover or remote help during the dates above - please get in touch with Dr David Prisk, Clinical Director – Unplanned Care, or Maria Armstrong, Acting Operations Executive, for a confidential chat.