Woolworths has created a chief medical officer position within the company to shape the retailer’s response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Rob McCartney, who has more than 20 years’ experience in occupational medicine, has been appointed to the position.

“This appointment ensures we have an internal expert, with a grounding in medical advice, to help make well informed long-term decisions on the safety and wellbeing of our teams and customers,” Woolworths Group safety, health and wellbeing general manager, Brian Long, said in a statement.

“Dr McCartney’s appointment will ensure we keep at the forefront of occupational health, hygiene and public health policy as it relates to Covid-19, while upholding the highest possible health and hygiene standards across our supermarkets, distribution centres, and support offices.”

According to Long, as Australia’s largest private employer serving millions of customers each week, it has never been more important to have informed medical based input into their decisions around occupational health and hygiene and public health.