LEADING DOCTOR APPOINTED CLINICAL CEO IN CAIRNS

One of Australia’s leading obstetricians and gynaecologists and former director of obstetrics and gynaecology at Cairns Base Hospital will return as the district’s first Clinical Chief Executive Officer, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Professor Michael Humphrey will commence employment with Queensland Health as Cairns Health Service District Clinical CEO on March 19.

Mr Robertson said Prof. Humphrey was an outstanding candidate for the new role with extensive clinical experience throughout Australia and an international reputation.

“Cairns and the Far North region will benefit greatly from Prof. Humphrey’s talent and experience in the medical field.

“He is well suited to co-ordinate and plan for medical and clinical services within the crucial Cairns Health Service District.

“He is currently Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Royal Hobart Hospital and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Tasmania.

“He has an intimate knowledge of Cairns and the Far North region having served 13 years (1990-2003) as Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Cairns Base Hospital.

“He has also held numerous practising Obstetrics and Gynaecology roles in Brisbane, Victoria, Western Australia and New Zealand as well as several university appointments.

“Since 2004, Prof. Humphrey has been chairman of the Board of Examiners within the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists having previously filled many other roles within the organisation.

“He has also been a member of many state and national health advisory groups.”

Professor Humphrey said he and his wife were delighted to be returning to Cairns.

“As well as being Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Cairns, I was also deputy head of James Cook University clinical school as it developed in 2000,” Prof. Humphrey said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the fully developed teaching program has progressed at JCU.

“I also established an Obstetrics and Gynaecology outreach service based at Cairns Base Hospital for indigenous and remote communities in Far North Queensland which continues today.

“I’m also very interested to see how that model has developed.

“I view my new role as an extremely important one for health services in Cairns and Far North Queensland.

“It is vital that I work with the community and local clinicians to improve patient care and gear it specifically towards the needs of the community which is an exciting concept.

“I’m particularly eager to work with the local community health council.

“I already know many clinicians in Cairns from my time there and I’m looking forward to working with them again.

“This role represents a new challenge for me now in that I will be championing the cause of all clinical services in the district - not just Obstetrics and Gynaecology.”

Cairns is one of four Queensland Health districts to create the new role of Clinical CEO with Rockhampton, the Princess Alexandra and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals.

12 January, 2007

MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185