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Nick Coatsworth

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Nick Coatsworth is an Australian infectious diseases expert. He was Australia's deputy chief medical officer[1] during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he regularly appeared in print and on radio and television to provide the public with information.

He is Nine Network's medical expert and presents the television show Do You Want to Live Forever? with Tracy Grimshaw.[2]

Education

[edit]

Coatsworth was educated at Wesley College in South Perth which he attended between 1985 and 1995.[3] At Wesley he was awarded the Philip Goatcher Scholarship for Years 11 and 12.[3] He also spent five years on the school's debating team which he believes helped to prepare him for communicating with the public.[3]

He attended the University of Western Australia. He graduated with Honours in 2001.[4] In 2022 the university awarded him an Honorary Doctorate for services to medicine.[2] He has a Masters in International Public Health from the University of Sydney.[5]

Medical career

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Coatsworth is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. His specialties are respiratory medicine and infectious diseases.[5] He is currently director of infectious diseases at Canberra Hospital.[6]

His other roles have included executive director at the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre in Darwin.[5] He has also lectured in Medicine at the Australian National University.[7][8]

Coatsworth led humanitarian teams in the Congo and the Darfur region of Sudan for Medicins Sans Frontiers when he was 25,[9] a task that he says left him with PTSD.[10] He told the Today programme: "I think everyone has their limits in life and I kind of reached that, the security situation there was really difficult. There was the  threat of assassination of people in the place where we were." After returning home, Coatsworth became anxious: "I felt like I was having these heart palpitations ... At the end of 2019 it got to the point one weekend I couldn't leave the house." He took anxiety medication to resolve the issue.[10]

He was elected to the board of Medicins Sans Frontiers in Australia in 2008. He served as the board's president in 2010 and 2011.[5][11][12]

He also led the second Australian Medical Assistance Team to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.[2]

His other deployments with the Australian Medical Assistance Team include Vanuatu after Cyclone Pam in 2015 and Fiji following Cyclone Winston in 2016.[2]

In 2023, Coatsworth joined the Australian Patients Association as Ambassador for Health Reform.[13]

In 2024, Coatsworth became a clinical governance advisor for GP telehealth company Eucalyptus.[14]

During the Covid Pandemic

[edit]

In 2020, during the Covid Pandemic, Coatsworth was appointed as Australia's Deputy Chief Medical Officer. As the only hospital-based practising clinician in the team of deputies, his role initially involved dealing with hospitals and health services.[15]

However, Coatsworth became one of the government's key public-facing experts, appearing regularly in press conferences[16][17][18] and on television programmes to talk about the virus. This led to him being labelled a 'household name' by the media.[19][20]

He was appointed by Australia’s then top health adviser Brendan Murphy one of three deputy chief medical officers.[19]

Coatsworth has been outspoken about elements of how Australia handled COVID-19. His positions include:

  • Australians did not require a fourth vaccine shot and that he would not be having one.[19]
  • Lockdown restrictions went on for too long.[21][19]
  • Promises to eradicate the virus in its early stages were misguided.[19]

Media work

[edit]

Coatsworth has written opinion pieces for publications including:

Television

[edit]

Coatsworth is Nine Network's Medical Expert[2] appearing regularly as a guest on Nine Network programmes.

He is presenter of a Nine Network television show he created,[25] Do You Want To Live Forever? which he hosts with Tracey Grimshaw.[2]

He has been a guest on multiple television programs including:

In 2021 he starred in television adverts on behalf of the Australian government about COVID-19 vaccinations.[47][48]

In 2023 Coatsworth filled in as presenter of Today while regular host Karl Stefanovic took Christmas leave. His appointment left "plenty of noses out of joint" due to his perceived inexperience.[49]

Other platforms

[edit]

He has also been interviewed on radio[50][51] and for podcasts[52][53]

Personal life

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Coatsworth is married to Dr Rebecca Pearson, a lung transplant physician.[54] They have three children.[55][19]

He has lived in Canberra since 2016.[56][57][19]

References

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  1. ^ https://www.health.gov.au/resources/videos/coronavirus-covid-19-dr-nick-coatsworth-message-on-masks?language=en
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Dr Nick Coatsworth: Do You Want To Live Forever? 2024 official host bio". 9now.nine.com.au. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  3. ^ a b c Relations, Community (2020-12-16). "Dr Nicholas Coatsworth - Doctor in the House". Wesley College. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  4. ^ "Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series - Dr Nick Coatsworth".
  5. ^ a b c d "Nick Coatsworth". Business News. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  6. ^ "Clinical Associate Professor Nicholas Coatsworth". ANU School of Medicine and Psychology. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  7. ^ "Clinical Associate Professor Nicholas Coatsworth". ANU School of Medicine and Psychology. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  8. ^ "UWA graduate joins Australia's front line medical team in Canberra : Archive Page : The University of Western Australia". www.news.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  9. ^ https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health/health-news/australias-biggest-covid-mistake/news-story/27887a0bf92f0b1d1ab6a4e1e417b702
  10. ^ a b "'We're all a little broken, I think we have to admit that': Coatsworth opens up about mental health struggles". 9now.nine.com.au. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  11. ^ "MSF Australia Annual Report 2010 by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Australia - Issuu". issuu.com. 2011-05-29. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  12. ^ "MSF Australia Annual Report 2011 by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Australia - Issuu". issuu.com. 2015-05-31. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  13. ^ apaeditor (2023-01-31). "Dr Nick Coatsworth joins Australian Patients Association to put patients at the centre of Medicare reform". Australian Patients Association. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  14. ^ "Dr Nick Coatsworth joins GP telehealth company offering compounded semaglutide for weight loss". AusDoc. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  15. ^ "Medical graduate helps chart our way out of COVID-19". www.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  16. ^ SBS News (2020-04-10). The Deputy Chief Medical Officer urges people to continue regular health check ups. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ Australian Department of Health and Aged Care (2020-04-23). Australian COVID-19 update, 23 April 2020. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ ABC News (Australia) (2020-04-10). Coronavirus distancing measures having an impact on case numbers | ABC News. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "Mad doctor or a COVID genius? You be the judge". The West Australian. 2022-03-21. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  20. ^ Bushnell, Ian. "Dr Nick Coatsworth takes on his toughest appointment yet". Riotact. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  21. ^ "Dr Nick Coatsworth says 'fear persisted far too long' as state governments went their own way with COVID-19 response | Sky News Australia".
  22. ^ "Dr Nick Coatsworth". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  23. ^ "Nick Coatsworth". Australian Financial Review. 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  24. ^ https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fcommentary%2Fgps-know-sickcare-is-where-the-money-lies%2Fnews-story%2F039c676b14b8eec25b21aed07fc9206e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE&V21spcbehaviour=append
  25. ^ Trenoweth, Samantha (2024-06-12). "EXCLUSIVE: Tracy Grimshaw on her gap year and return to TV". The Australian Women's Weekly. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  26. ^ "Omicron 'clearly' not more dangerous than influenza for fit, young and healthy: Dr Nick Coatsworth | Sky News Australia".
  27. ^ Sky News Australia (2022-08-16). Morrison's additional portfolios made 'no practical impact': Dr Coatsworth. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ Sky News Australia (2023-05-09). Health expert does not see 'fundamental structural reforms' in health within budget. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ Sky News Australia (2023-05-09). More must be done to 'dissuade young people' from taking up vaping. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ Sky News Australia (2023-04-17). There should be 'no delays' to COVID-19 vaccine compensation scheme. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ 9 News Australia (2023-11-12). Dr Nick Coatsworth separates medical fact from fiction | 9 News Australia. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ 9 News Australia (2023-07-12). Dr Nick Coatsworth says Teo 'separated himself too much from medical community' | 9 News Australia. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ TODAY (2023-04-11). Hosts hilariously test Dr Nick Coatsworth against Chat GPT | Today Show Australia. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  34. ^ TODAY (2022-03-02). 'Doctor Karl' diagnoses medical expert with COVID-19 | Today Show Australia. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ TODAY (2023-05-26). Scientists in Japan believe they will be able to grow human babies in a lab | Today Show Australia. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ 9 News Australia (2023-08-15). Doctor's warning amid growing popularity of Ozempic | 9 News Australia. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ 9 News Australia (2023-07-22). Victorian doctors to use Artificial Intelligence in all consultations | 9 News Australia. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ ABC News (Australia) (2020-08-03). Dr Nick Coatsworth discusses the coronavirus outbreak in Victoria | 7.30. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  39. ^ ABC News (Australia) (2020-07-20). Dr Nick Coatsworth says the target in NSW and Victoria is 'no community transmission' | 7.30. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  40. ^ 7NEWS - Australia (2020-05-24). Coronavirus: The latest COVID-19 news on Monday, May 25 (Sunrise edition) | 7NEWS. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ A Current Affair (2021-07-27). Dr Nick Coatsworth urges Aussies to get vaccinated against COVID-19 now | A Current Affair. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  42. ^ abcqanda (2021-02-11). Hotel Quarantine and Aerosol Transmission | Q+A. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  43. ^ ABC News (Australia) (2021-12-16). Dr Nick Coatsworth says 'focus now needs to be on boosters for our most vulnerable' | 7.30. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  44. ^ ABC News (Australia) (2021-08-31). Infectious diseases physician says it's "incredibly dangerous" to wait for Pfizer vaccine | ABC News. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  45. ^ ABC News (Australia) (2020-07-28). Deputy CMO on Australia's east coast coronavirus outbreaks | News Breakfast. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  46. ^ ABC News (Australia) (2020-05-07). Coronavirus Q&A: Your questions answered by experts | ABC News. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ South Coast TV | 3 (2021-07-24). Covid-19 Vaccination | Dr Nick Coatsworth Commercial - (09.07.2021). Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  48. ^ Australian Department of Health and Aged Care (2021-06-07). COVID-19 vaccines - Vaccine rollout to people aged 40 and over - Dr Nick Coatsworth - 30 second. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via YouTube.
  49. ^ https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/dr-nick-coatsworth-announced-as-holiday-fillin-for-karl-stefanovic-on-today/news-story/6b4ce312d38d1c2fa55a064b124db8c8
  50. ^ "Dr Nick Coatsworth: A major life-changing event, COVID-19 response and becoming a TV personality". 6PR. 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  51. ^ "'Do You Want to Live Forever? - Dr Nick Coatsworth talks about his new show". 4BC. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  52. ^ "Healthy Her: Longevity TV show Special: Dr Nick Coatsworth on creating a longevity series on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  53. ^ "Keep on Radio: My Career Journey with Dr Nick Coatsworth on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  54. ^ Harris, Rob (2021-10-26). "After bitter rollout politics, Coatsworth looks forward to the 'summer after the pandemic'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  55. ^ "Canberra medico helps Aussies turn back the clock on new TV show". Explore Travel. 2024-06-05. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  56. ^ "Dr Nick Coatsworth on the 'special' place he discovered via TV show". travel.nine.com.au. 2024-07-04. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  57. ^ "Top doctors, academics living in an 'alternative reality'". Australian Financial Review. 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
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