Search begins for new Director General of Queensland Health

A nation-wide campaign has been launched to recruit a new Director-General to succeed Dr Tony O’Connell as the head of Queensland Health.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said Dr O’Connell has departed the position to pursue opportunities in the private sector. The Deputy Director-General (Health Services and Clinical Innovation), Dr Michael Cleary will serve as acting Director-General.

“Dr O’Connell leaves on agreed terms, after four years with Queensland Health and two at the helm, driving the biggest and most successful reform program yet seen in health administration in Australia,” Mr Springborg said today.

“I acknowledge Dr O’Connell’s service and respect his decision to pursue his own interests after contributing so much in support of the Newman Government’s reforms.

“In just eighteen months, these reforms have delivered a stronger, more resilient health administration with unique levels of local accountability and transparency.”

Dr O’Connell joined Queensland Health in August 2009, as the CEO of the Department’s Centre for Healthcare Improvement and was appointed Director General in 2011.

Since the change of Government, he has helped to implement the LNP’s programme of handing control of 17 Hospital and Health Services over to local boards.

The new policies have stabilised local health budgets after years of deficits and improved hospital performance across the State.

“Queensland has the shortest median waiting time for elective surgery, and our Hospital Emergency Departments are delivering their best performance ever,” Mr Springborg said.

Mr Springborg said Dr O’Connell deserved particular credit for his stewardship of clinical re-design as the key to improved efficiency in Queensland hospitals.

“These strategies have improved our performance across the board,” he said.

“They have reduced the average length of stay for our patients and freed up the availability of hundreds of beds providing extra capacity without additional cost.

“It has been a personal privilege and a pleasure to work alongside Dr O’Connell, a man dedicated to innovation and sustainability in health care delivery with an absolute focus on improving patient outcomes. I wish Dr O’Connell all the best for the future.”

[ENDS] 15 August 2013

Contact: Cameron Thompson 0407 585 230