The Queensland Government has taken the first step towards bringing control of health services closer to the communities they serve, with the appointment of chairs for Queensland’s new Hospital and Health Boards.
Health Minister and State Member for Southern Downs, Lawrence Springborg, announced the appointments last week as part of a statewide address to Queensland Health’s 82,000 staff.
“The move to restore local Health Boards to run their own services in communities across Queensland is a key commitment of the Newman Government,” Mr Springborg said.
“This path requires the selection of highly-skilled leaders in local communities to chair the boards and help restore community confidence in local health services,” he said.
Mr Springborg told staff he wanted to advise them first of the new appointments because they will have a direct impact on the local delivery of health services statewide.
“Devolved decision-making is a key part of the strategy to rebuild Queensland Health,” he said.
“These appointees have extensive experience leading organisations across a wide range of industries.
“Their skills will be invaluable in guiding the future management of local health resources, focused on patient care.
“They will be accountable for the performance of the Hospital and Health Boards in purchasing and providing health services to meet local priorities and national standards.
“We’re getting on with the job of transforming the way our health services are governed.”
Mr Springborg said that, by placing greater trust in communities to run their own services, the LNP would create a more accountable health system.
“The boards will be enshrined in legislation, designed to promote local decision-making and accommodate national health reform,” he said.
“I congratulate the appointees and look forward to their contributions to the improved efficiency and effectiveness of hospitals and health services, statewide.
“Now that the Hospital and Health Board chairs have been announced, the composition of each local board will be finalised.”
The Minister said he would soon announce the chair of the Hospital and Health Board for Wide Bay. An administrator will be appointed to the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Hospital and Health Board, pending further assessment of suitable candidates.
Chairpersons for Queensland’s Hospital and Health Boards:
Cairns & Hinterland – Mr Robert Norman
Mr Norman is a well-known and respected businessman in Cairns and Far North Queensland. He has previously served on the Cairns Chamber of Commerce as member, vice president and president.
Cape York – Mr Scott McCahon
A pharmacist with a community pharmacy business, Mr McCahon has strong health sector, Indigenous health and community knowledge and networks, as well as experience as a chair in health and community related boards in the Cape York area.
Central Queensland – Mr Robert Miles
Mr Miles has had more than 25 years in senior management in government and regional development and more than 17 years’ experience as a board member or chair of advisory, regional development, research and education boards.
Central West – Mr Edward Warren
With a background in rural planning and development, Mr Warren has strong board experience and local knowledge in the Central Western Queensland region. Mr Warren served as the Mayor of Winton for five years and has held a number of company directorships in the local region.
Children’s Health Services – Ms Susan Johnston
A lawyer, Ms Johnston has more than 20 years’ experience in senior management and policy advisory roles and more than 10 years’ experience as a company director and member of various industry advisory and funding bodies.
Darling Downs – Mr Michael Horan
Mr Horan is a well known Darling Downs local, having served as the Toowoomba South Member of Parliament for 21 years and including experience as the Minister and Shadow Minister for Health. Mr Horan has strong board experience and extensive local knowledge of the Darling Downs region.
Gold Coast – Mr Ian Langdon
Mr Langdon has extensive board experience encompassing roles such as board chairman, audit committee chairman and nonexecutive director with a wide range of companies. Mr Langdon has also held various academic positions, with the last being Associate Professor and Dean of Business at Griffith University (Gold Coast campus).
Mackay – Mr Colin Meng
Mr Meng has extensive board and business experience in the Mackay region. Mr Meng has previously served as the Mayor of the Mackay Regional Council, president of the Mackay Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Pioneer Valley Hospital.
Metro North – Dr Paul Alexander
Dr Alexander has had an extensive career in the Australian Defence Force. He is a very experienced senior medical officer with 32 years’ experience across clinical executive posts, and has held board positions in military, private practice, commercial and not for profit organisations.
Metro South – Mr Terry White
A pharmacist, Mr White has extensive board and business experience. He is chairman of White Retail and Terry White Chemists and the founding chairman of the Nudgee College Foundation. Mr White’s experience includes roles as Member of Parliament, Minister of the Crown and president of the Pharmacy Guild. He has been awarded the Officer in the Order of Australia for service to the pharmacy profession, to the community and to the Queensland Parliament.
North West – Mr Paul Woodhouse
Mr Woodhouse 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 past 20 years.
South West – Dr Julia Leeds (Fielding)
Dr Fielding has spent many years working in rural medicine in Charleville, including as a medical officer for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and as a private GP. She works as a visiting medical officer at the Charleville Hospital and the Wesley Breast Clinic (Brisbane). Dr Fielding has 10 years’ board experience with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, of which the past two years have been as chair.
Sunshine Coast – Professor Paul Thomas
Professor Thomas has substantial board experience and well established networks in the Sunshine Coast region. Professor Thomas was successful in establishing the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) and is the university’s founding Vice-Chancellor and president. In 2007 he was awarded an Order of Australia medal for services to higher education and the establishment of the USC.
Townsville – Mr John Bearne
Mr Bearne has substantial business and board experience serving as chair and director in both commercial and not for profit organisations. He has lived in Townsville for the past 27 years and was previously president of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, director of the Townsville Enterprise and inaugural chair of the Australian Technical College North Queensland.
West Moreton – Dr Mary Corbett
Dr Corbett has more than 17 years’ experience as a company director, predominately in the scientific research and development area and in education and training. She is the deputy chair of Southbank Institute of Technology.
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