Dr Keith Harrison studied Medicine at the University of Witwatersind, Johannesburg, graduating in 1984. He completed internships in South Africa, before moving to the UK in 1986.
During this time he was greatly moved by the enormous impact of modern medical intervention on the health and survival of mothers and babies in the African setting, and a lifelong commitment to Obstetrics and Gynaecology was born.
After leaving South Africa he worked as a Hospital Doctor in the English National Health system, as a General Practitioner in isolated Northern Canada, and as a Surgical Resident in Australia. He then commenced Specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Wellington in 1990.
He completed his specialist training in the United Kingdom, and Auckland, spending his final years working in the emerging specialty of Maternal Foetal Medicine in the University Department of the National Women’s Hospital.
In 1997 he became fully a credentialed Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and was pleased to move with a young family to Hawke’s Bay to take up a Consultant position in the newly amalgamated Hawke’s Bay Regional Hospital.
In Hawke’s Bay he continued his interest in complex maternity care, establishing high risk and diabetic antenatal clinics, as well as providing a liaison service in Foetal Medicine prior to the establishment of the Wellington Referral Unit.
At that time there was a heavy workload in gynaecological surgery in Hawke’s Bay with considerable unmet demand in the treatment of endometriosis, infertility, incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. It became clear that the emerging discipline of laparoscopic (key-hole) surgery was likely to offer better outcomes for women in these areas.
Through progressive mentorships, preceptorships, and training, Keith was able to develop and expand his laparoscopic and other surgical techniques. He served on the Board of AGES (the Australasian Society for Gynaecological Surgery) from 2011 to 2015. During this time he was much involved both with surgical education and training. Keith is a highly experienced and expert surgeon (AGES Level 6).
Keith continues to hold a full Consultant position in the Maternity and Gynaecology Department at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Hospital. He currently holds the position of Head of Department for Gynaecology. He has a busy, and well established private practice at the Royston Hospital in Hastings with a special interest in advanced laparoscopic (key-hole) surgery.
Keith is married with three adult children. He enthusiastically pursues the many outdoor recreational opportunities Hawke’s Bay offers.
