North West health board to benefit from continuity

Published Friday, 12 May, 2017 at 02:27 PM

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services
The Honourable Cameron Dick

In a show of confidence in the North West Hospital and Health Board, five members have been reappointed for further terms by the State Government.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the board, chaired by respected civic leader Paul Woodhouse, had provided strong leadership in the delivery of health services in North West Queensland, which covers Mt Isa and the Gulf of Carpentaria.

“I’m pleased to announce that Dr Don Bowley, Dr Christopher Appleby, Karen Arbouin, Dr Kathryn Panaretto and Dallas Leon have been reappointed to the board,” the Minister said.

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

“The fact that so many board members sought reappointment is testament to their dedication to their communities.

“The North West Hospital and Health Board is a diverse group, with five 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.”

Mr Woodhouse, Anne Clarke, Richard Stevens OAM and Rowena McNally are continuing their terms as board members.

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 reappointments 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.

North West Hospital and Health Board

Mr Paul Woodhouse (Chair) – currently appointed until 17/05/2019 – is chairman of Regional Development Australia for the Townsville and north west region. He previously served as the Mayor of McKinlay Shire Council for eight years and has 10 years’ experience as chair of a number of regional and state government bodies. He has managed his own cattle property for the last 20 years.

Mrs Anne Clarke (Deputy Chair) – currently appointed until 17/05/2019 – is on boards for the grazing industry, health and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her experience includes 18 years of local government and 15 years as Mayor.

Mr Richard Stevens OAM – currently appointed until 17/05/2019 - has more than 30 years’ experience in public sector administration across all tiers of government. Richard has expertise in corporate governance, natural resource management and economics.

Ms Rowena McNally – currently appointed until 17/05/2019 – is an experienced company director and corporate lawyer specialising in health, infrastructure, and corporate governance.

Dr Don Bowley – reappointed until 17/05/2019 - is the Senior Medical Officer at the Mt Isa Base of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section). He has 23 years of experience with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and has been based at Mount Isa for the past 19 years.

Dr Christopher Appleby – reappointed until 17/05/2019 – has a 17-year career in the design of innovative models of rural Primary Health Care. He has co-owned and operated General Practice Medical Centres in rural communities such as Richmond and Cloncurry, in North West Queensland and Montville and Maleny, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Ms Karen Arbouin – reappointed until 17/05/2019 - is a registered nurse and practising midwife. She is Associate Vice Chancellor for CQUniversity and previously she worked for 11 years in senior management positions at James Cook University (JCU), including acting in the role of CEO for JCU’s Singapore campus.

Dr Kathryn Panaretto – reappointed until 17/05/2020 – is a general practitioner at QUT Medical Centre in Brisbane and has a background in primary health care. Her experience in the North West began in 1998 as a GP with the Remote Women’s Health clinics at Julia Creek and Cloncurry, then more recently as a general practitioner at Mount Isa’s Gidgee Healing. She has spent the last 19 years working in Aboriginal Health in Queensland in Townsville, Charleville and Brisbane.

Mr Dallas Leon – reappointed until 17/05/2020 - has worked in the Indigenous health arena for 19 years, initially as an Aboriginal health worker and then specialised in population health before moving into management.

ENDS

Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834