Director General of WA Department of Health Appointed

Medical administrator  and clinician Dr David Russell-Weisz has been appointed Director General of the Western Australian Department of Health.
Dr Russell-Weisz recently oversaw the commencement of Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), the largest medical infrastructure project in Western Australia. Premier Colin Barnett said he demonstrated excellent leadership skills in this complex task, winning the support of all staff.
"The process of permanently filling this critically important position has taken some time, but we are fortunate to have been able to select Dr Russell-Weisz from a strong field,” Premier Barnett said.
Dr Russell-Weisz will assume his new role inAugust 2015 after commissioning work at FSH is complete.
Health Minister Kim Hames said he looked forward to working with Dr Russell-Weisz in his new role.
“Dr Russell-Weisz will preside over a largely reconstructed health system. As well as Fiona Stanley, we have new hospitals in Albany, Busselton and Kalgoorlie-Boulder and will soon open hospitals at Midland and Karratha as well as the Perth Children’s Hospital,” Dr Hames said.
“There will also be changes to the governance structures of our health system.”
The Minister said Dr Russell-Weisz would manage the ongoing challenges of increasing demand for health services while reining in health costs.
Both Mr Barnett and Dr Hames paid tribute to the tireless and extraordinary efforts over the past two years of Professor Bryant Stokes as acting Director General.
“Professor Stokes is universally respected and assumed the role of DG with great distinction,” the Premier said. “He will continue in the role until Dr Russell-Weisz takes the position up in August, and will do so with the Government’s