Chair and Board for new Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

A chairman and first five members have been selected for the new Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Board that will come into effect on 1 July, 2014.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said current Cape York Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Board Chair Bob McCarthy had been appointed chair of the new amalgamated health service.
“This creation of this new board delivers on our election commitment to revitalise frontline services,” Mr Springborg said.
“It’s further proof of our strong plan to improve health services across the state, after years of Labor neglect.”
The announcement of the new chair and original board members follows an amendment to the Hospital and Health Boards regulations to enable the amalgamation of the Cape York and the Torres Strait-Northern Peninsula hospital and health services.  
The board includes a doctor, nurse and a Torres Strait councillor.
Mr Springborg said a second group of appointees to the new amalgamated health service board would be announced later this year.
“I welcome the range of skills and qualifications that the new board members will bring to Queensland’s most northerly hospital and health service,” he said.
“The chairman, Mr McCarthy, has a distinguished career and, in particular, is held in high regard for his leadership roles and board service in the far north of the state.
“Mr McCarthy will be ably supported by the skills and experience of the board members.
“I take this opportunity to welcome the new chairman and board members and to thank all those who submitted an expression of interest for the positions.”
The appointment of the new chair and board members follows a strong response to the call for expressions of interest that was advertised in newspapers and on-line.
Mr Springborg said 23 applications were received from around Queensland and interstate (following 84 requests for information packs) and drew interest from high calibre candidates.
Mr Springborg said the second and final tranche of up to three board appointments was expected to be announced before the end of the year.
These also would be drawn from those who had lodged expressions of interest.
“Advertising for a skills-based board, as required by the Hospital and Health Boards Act, ensured that the process was transparent and open to all qualified people who wished to apply,” he said.
“Ultimately this process means the best people have been appointed to the Torres and Cape HHS board and they, in turn, will ensure that improved health services continue to be delivered.”
The formation of the Torres and Cape HHS board follows the Minister’s announcement last December that the Cape York and Torres Strait-Northern Peninsula hospital and health services would be amalgamated in mid-2014 to strengthen governance and improve patient services across the region.
The Chair and first five members of the new board are:
• Chairman, Mr Robert (Bob) McCarthy AM
Currently Chairman of Cape York HHS, Mr McCarthy has more than 30 years’ experience in high-level positions in the private sector, as well as Federal and Queensland governments. He has a wealth of experience as a member and chairman of a number of statutory boards and corporations.

Mr McCarthy holds a Bachelor of Economics degree (honours) from the University of New England, has been a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his outstanding contribution to economic development, resource management and agriculture.
 
• Ms Tracey Jia 
Since 2012, Ms Jia has been a member of the Cape York HHS board. She is well regarded for her work with the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. In this role she has assisted people with a disability and their families in Weipa and the West Cape communities of Aurukun, Napranum and Mapoon.

• Associate Professor, Dr Ruth Stewart
Dr Stewart is Associate Professor of Rural Medicine and Director, Rural Clinical Training and Support at James Cook University. She also has been a member of the Cape York HHS board since 2012. Dr Stewart has chaired the Cape York HHS’s Safety and Quality Committee and served on the Audit Committee and brings extensive management and clinical experience to the new board. 

• Mr Kevin Quirk
A nurse with considerable clinical, administrative and management experience in health services in Cape York, Mr Quirk is currently a Cape York HHS board member. Prior to this, Mr Quirk owned a successful nursing agency business specialising in rural and remote hospitals. In addition to nursing qualifications, Mr Quirk holds a Master of Business Administration degree from James Cook University.

• Mr Greg Edwards
Mr Edwards has established and developed a number of successful businesses - seafood processing, transport and marine engineering in the Torres Strait Islands and Papua New Guinea since 1988. With a company director’s qualification and career development courses at Harvard University, Mr Edwards brings extensive experience and highly developed business acumen to the role.

• Mr Fraser (Ted) Nai
As a member of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and respected councillor for Yorke Island, Mr Nai brings leadership and local government experience, as well as a wealth of local knowledge to the role.

[ENDS] 16 May 2014

Media Contact: Ian Eckersley 0432 754 897