NEW APPOINTMENT TO HELP AMBULANCE AUDIT
Published Tuesday, 18 September, 2007 at 04:00 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Premier Anna Bligh announced today Jim McGowan had been temporarily appointed as the new Director-General of Emergency Services to help oversee the audit of Queensland ambulance services.
Mr McGowan is currently the Director-General of Justice and the Attorney-General. Julie Grantham, current Deputy Director-General in Justice and Attorney-General will act in the role of Director-General in Justice and Attorney-General.
The current Director-General of Emergency Services, Fiona McKersie, will move to a new role in the Department of Premier and Cabinet to help manage the implementation of the Queensland Counter Terrorism Strategy.
“I have asked for an audit of ambulance services to be undertaken – led by Queensland Treasury and the Department of Premier and Cabinet,” Ms Bligh said.
“We spend more per capita on our ambulance service than any other state and demand is increasing at an unprecedented rate so it’s critical that we ensure the significant funds being invested are reaching the front line.
“Mr McGowan brings a wealth of experience to the task and his appointment will be vital in helping us achieve the best in ambulance services.”
Dr Mark Elcock, Director Statewide Clinical Coordination and Retrieval Services in Queensland Health will be seconded to work with Mr McGowan. Specifically he will examine the intersections between the hospital, health transport and ambulance services.
“The QAS had a record budget this year of $404.4 million and it is vital the Treasury team investigate to ensure the money is being spent in the right places,” she said.
“This year’s budget is an increase of nearly 14% on the previous year and includes the biggest single increase in staff in one year of 250 additional ambulance officers, which is on top of the 220 extra staff recruited last year.
“If these record levels of funding and recruitment are unable to address the increases we are seeing in demand then we need to look at other options.”
18 September, 2007
Further inquiries: Premiers Office (07) 3224 4500
Mr McGowan is currently the Director-General of Justice and the Attorney-General. Julie Grantham, current Deputy Director-General in Justice and Attorney-General will act in the role of Director-General in Justice and Attorney-General.
The current Director-General of Emergency Services, Fiona McKersie, will move to a new role in the Department of Premier and Cabinet to help manage the implementation of the Queensland Counter Terrorism Strategy.
“I have asked for an audit of ambulance services to be undertaken – led by Queensland Treasury and the Department of Premier and Cabinet,” Ms Bligh said.
“We spend more per capita on our ambulance service than any other state and demand is increasing at an unprecedented rate so it’s critical that we ensure the significant funds being invested are reaching the front line.
“Mr McGowan brings a wealth of experience to the task and his appointment will be vital in helping us achieve the best in ambulance services.”
Dr Mark Elcock, Director Statewide Clinical Coordination and Retrieval Services in Queensland Health will be seconded to work with Mr McGowan. Specifically he will examine the intersections between the hospital, health transport and ambulance services.
“The QAS had a record budget this year of $404.4 million and it is vital the Treasury team investigate to ensure the money is being spent in the right places,” she said.
“This year’s budget is an increase of nearly 14% on the previous year and includes the biggest single increase in staff in one year of 250 additional ambulance officers, which is on top of the 220 extra staff recruited last year.
“If these record levels of funding and recruitment are unable to address the increases we are seeing in demand then we need to look at other options.”
18 September, 2007
Further inquiries: Premiers Office (07) 3224 4500