Interview - Dr Jonathan Bishop

Can you please describe your typical day?

I am not sure if I have a “typical” day and it is this very variety that keeps my job fresh, interesting and stimulating. One day I may be providing care to acutely ill hospital inpatients; another day I may be running an outpatient clinic or an endoscopy list; on a third day I might be teaching, coordinating training issues or catching up with admin work. Furthermore, as a parent of young children, my job in Paediatrics affords me the opportunity to work flexibly, allowing me to spend parts of some days just being a dad.  

What are the types of cases you typically see?

I care for children and young people with a wide variety of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. These include neonatal liver disease, end-stage liver disease pre- and post-transplant and chronic gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal failure.

What do you like about working in Paediatric Medicine?

There are many things that I love about my job. These include the interesting, stimulating and often challenging clinical work; the collegial, team-based approach to work alongside my fantastic colleagues; and the engagement with children, their parents and whanau.

What do you like about working in the Auckland Region?

Auckland offers a huge amount as a place to work in Paediatrics �� a large childhood population from widely diverse ethnic and social backgrounds; world-class medical institutions offering excellent clinical training and career opportunities; fantastic links with academia for research and education etc. And as a place to live, Auckland has a vibrant and dynamic “big city” feel whilst retaining a friendly “small town” vibe – all with ready access to some of the best geography, scenery and outdoor life that New Zealand has to offer.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time for leisure activities?

Spending time with the family consumes much of my time outside work and I can often be found with the kids at the zoo, MOTAT or one of West Auckland’s beautiful beaches. In addition I recognise the importance of maintaining some activities separate from work and family life which feed my soul and keep me sane. These include reading, swimming and singing in an amateur choir.

If you are interested in receiving further information about a career in Paediatric Medicine and/or working in Paediatric Medicine in Auckland, please contact Te Whatu Ora Northern Region or Dr. Bishop jbishop@adhb.govt.nz with your objectives for the future.