Consumer Health Forum of Australia Appoints CEO

The Consumer Health Forum of Australia has announced Leanne Wells as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Ms Wells  has 25 years expereience as a senior executive in government and non government health roles, including being executive officer of the former Australian Medicare Local Alliance and leading the ACT Nedicare Local
Consumer Health Forum Chair Tony Lawson said Ms Wells has a reputation as a reformer and change agent in health and social policy, programs and systems development
“The many issues vital to health consumers which are now in play, such as rising out of pocket health costs, the roll-out of primary health networks and moves for a consumer role in the pharmacy funding agreement mean that CHF’s influence is more important than ever.  Ms Wells is well-placed to lead CHF in these times of challenge,” Mr Lawson said.
Ms Wells will join the Consumer Health Forum in mid-April and is delighted to take up the position. “It couldn’t be a more important time for improving health care in Australia," Ms Wells said. "The debate over co-payments and the introduction of the Primary Health Networks are among issues which will require CHF to be at the forefront of the health policy debate in the run-up to the 2016 election year.
“I believe that the best way to strengthen and improve healthcare is to support the users of the system and the clinicians who deliver care within the system working together. Consumers and clinicians must be the co-architects of a better system. In my most recent role leading ACT Medicare Local and the design of the ACT Primary Health Network, I have seen firsthand how critical this is.
“With its broad membership and strong brand, Consumers Health Forum is uniquely placed to contribute to building a better health system, and to work with others to advocate that those areas of policy such as housing and social services policy do not impact negatively on health outcomes for those most vulnerable.   The impending Review of Federation's health Green Paper is another important focus of CHF’s interest."
Mr Lawson thanked departing CEO, Adam Stankevicius, for his year of service to the CHF as CEO