New blood for South West health board

The South West Hospital and Health Board takes on a new look with the State Government today appointing a new Chair, welcoming three new members and reappointing an existing one.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the incoming members would join four existing board members.

“I have asked Mr Jim McGowan AM, who has a distinguished career in public administration to be the new Board Chair,” Mr Dick said.

“Mr McGowan will be a wonderful addition to the hospital board, helping ensure the continuing focus on delivering and expanding health services to south-west residents and overseeing delivery of the new Roma Hospital.

“South-west healthcare professional, Heather Hall, has been re-appointed for a further two years, having originally joined the board in May 2013.

“The board also welcomes new faces Ray Chandler, Karen Tully and Stewart Gordon who have all been appointed for a year.

“I congratulate all members and look forward to working with them towards achieving the goal of making Queensland’s health system the best in Australia.”

The Minister paid tribute to the outgoing members who had served so tirelessly on the board.

“Thank you to Paroo Shire Mayor Cr Lindsay Godfrey who served as board chairman for the past three years,” Mr Dick said.

“Cr Godfrey provided strong leadership and direction for the South West Hospital and Health Service and ensured the delivery of quality health services to local communities.

“I’d also like to thank members Richard Moore, Karen Prentis and James Hetherington for their commitment and service to the South West communities over the past five years.”

Mr Dick said the South West Hospital and Health Board was a diverse group with four men and four women – all with a range of backgrounds, experience and skills – combining to ensure the broader community is well-represented in the health space.

He said about 30 people applied for positions on the board during the expressions of interest period.

The 16 boards throughout Queensland are responsible under the Hospital and Health Board Act 2011 for local performance of their health services and the delivery of public health services within their communities.

The board appointments will take effect on 18 May 2017.

A complete list of all Hospital and Health Board appointments has been published in the 12 May 2017 edition of the Queensland Government Gazette.

South West Hospital and Health Board

Mr Jim McGowan AM (Chair) is a former Director-General of the Department of Community Safety, Department of Emergency Services and Justice and Attorney General; currently chair of the Taskforce on Occupational Violence for Queensland’s Hospital and Health Services; Adjunct Professor, School of Government and International Relations at Griffith University – new appointment 17/05/2019.

Mr Ray Chandler – new appointment 17/05/2018. Experienced public health executive, primarily in corporate services and infrastructure roles

Ms Karen Tully – new appointment 17/05/2018. Chair/Director of Rural Financial Counselling Service South West Health Consumer & Community Queensland; Director of South West Natural Resource Management Ltd

Mr Stewart Gordon – new appointment 17/05/2018. Solicitor specialising in employment law; former District Manager of South West Health Service District and Executive Director of Rural Health (Darling Downs West Moreton Health Service District)

Ms Heather Hall – reappointed until 17/05/2019. Long-term clinical and community nurse in South West Queensland; also a member of the South West Clinical Chapter of the Western Queensland Primary Health Network

Ms Fiona Gaske – currently appointed until 17/05/2018. Balonne Shire Councillor and highly experienced speech pathologist

Dr John Scott – currently appointed until 17/05/2018. Doctor with vast experience in general practice and public health service administration

Ms Claire Alexander – currently appointed until 17/05/2019. Financial consultant with strong public and private sector experience

ENDS

Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834