Health Minister Yvette D’Ath on Friday announced Dr Wakefield,who was appointed to the role just three months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia,would step down to spend time with family abroad.
Dr Wakefield worked for Queensland Health for 32 years.
He worked as a rural doctor for a decade and the director of a regional emergency department before becoming the executive director of medical services for the surgical division at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane’s south.
“Since January 2020,John has led the health system response to COVID-19 and can be proud of his contribution to the health,social,and economic outcomes for Queensland,” Ms D’Ath said.
“Having led the health system to the ‘living with COVID-19 phase’,John believes it is the right time to hand over the reins to a new leader to take the health system through this next phase.
“He will be spending time in the UK with his elderly parents,before returning to pursue his passion of patient safety improvement.”
It is the second major departure in recent months after former chief health officer Jeannette Young became the Governor of Queensland.
Shaun Drummond,who last year left Queensland Health to become a consultant before agreeing to return,will be acting director-general from March 14.