New Health Ombudsman appointed

• Janet Anderson PSM, former Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, appointed as Queensland’s Health Ombudsman.
• Ms Anderson takes on the role from outgoing Health Ombudsman Dr Lynne Coulson Barr OAM.
• The Health Ombudsman investigates complaints and identifies issues to ensure delivery of high-quality healthcare.

Janet Anderson PSM has been appointed as Queensland’s Health Ombudsman and will commence her role on 15 January 2026. 

The Office of the Health Ombudsman protects the health and safety of Queenslanders by conducting investigations, reporting on systemic problems, monitoring regulatory bodies and publishing reports on health service complaints.

With more than 20 years of experience in senior executive and statutory roles, Ms Anderson has taken on multiple leadership roles.

Most recently she was the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner from 2019 until January 2025 and previously worked as the First Assistant Secretary at the Australian Department of Health’s Acute Care and Health Services Division.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said Ms Anderson would bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to the role.

“Ms Anderson has a distinguished career with more than two decades of senior executive experience, including roles in government and social care sectors,” Minister Nicholls said.

“Her exceptional leadership in health administration has been instrumental in shaping key policy reforms that improve resource use and service delivery.

“Ms Anderson’s experience is a testament to her commitment in improving healthcare quality through strategic innovation and collaboration.

“I have no doubt she will show the same unwavering dedication to her new role as Queensland’s Health Ombudsman.

“I would also like to thank departing Health Ombudsman Dr Lynne Coulson Barr OAM for her immense work during her tenure.

“Taking on the role in January 2022, Dr Coulson Barr implemented reforms to strengthen organisational capability and contributed to systemic improvement through published reports and reviews.

“I wish her all the best for the future.”

Ms Anderson holds a Bachelor of Health Administration with First Class Honours from the University of New South Wales, where she received the University Medal and the Australian College of Health Service Administrators Prize for General Proficiency.

She is an Associate Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Management and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2009 for outstanding public service in the development and reform of policy frameworks for the use of resources within the New South Wales Health system.

Further details regarding the OHO and its operations can be found in the OHO’s 2024-2025 annual report.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: David McLachlan, 0428 716 171