Clinicians, hospital leaders join SA Health LHN boards

Clinicians and hospital leaders are among the three new board chairs who have been appointed to South Australia’s Local Health Networks (LHNs).

The SA Government has appointed Ros McRae as the new Chair of the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network (FUNLHN) board, following the retirement of Mark Whitfield.

McRae has more than three decades of health management experience and formerly served as Chief Executive Officer of the Local Health Network, before joining the board in 2023.

Dr Andrew Saies has been appointed Chair of the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) board, following the retirement of long-serving community figure Grant King.

Saies, a practising shoulder, hand and upper limb extremity specialist, is joined by two new board members — clinical scientist John Davidson and local health project manager Kelly Groth.

Elaine Ashworth will helm the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN) board, replacing long-serving chair Dr Peter Joyner OAM.

Ashworth, a physiotherapist and health service manager across regional SA, has served on the RMCLHN board since its inception in 2019. The board has also welcomed Robin Valentine — a radiologist and former manager of the Murray Bridge Soldier’s Memorial Hospital for more than a decade.

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) has appointed First Nations Leader Parry Agius to its board, along with Kerry Rowlands, who has worked across SA Water, Faulding Pharmaceutical and Kimberley Clark Australia and is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Council South Australia.

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) has appointed current board member Andrew Culley to the position of Deputy Board Chair, with incoming health care executives Dr Mellissa Naidoo and Byron Gregory joining the board.

Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN) has welcomed experienced clinical administrator Helen Tedesco and distinguished Law Professor Irene Watson to its board. They replace former Chair Carol Gaston, who has decided to step down after five years of service.

The following people have been reappointed to LHN governing boards: Pru Blackwell — BHFLHN; Suzy Graham and Geri Malone — FUNLHN; Dr Andrew Saies — LCLHN; Mary Patetsos — NALHN; Dr Peter Joyner OAM, Claudia Goldsmith and Melanie Ottaway — RMCLHN; Dr Tony Sherbon (Deputy Chair) and Virginia Hickey — SALHN; Sandra Miller and Brenda Wilson AM — Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN).

South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton said, “There has never been a more important time to have people with the right experience and skills at the helm of our hospitals.

“This will support and enhance the management and operation of our health system.”

There are 10 LHNs in South Australia that manage the delivery of health services via public hospitals, health sites and other community-based services, as determined by the state government.

Governing boards are responsible for the governance and oversight of local health services, including improving patient outcomes and responding to issues, delivering services, and monitoring performance and budget. These boards consist of members with a diverse range of experience and skills in areas such as health management, clinical governance, commercial management, financial management and law.

LHN boards were established under the former government to ensure that decisions about health service planning and delivery were made locally, rather than from Adelaide.

Department for Health and Wellbeing Chief Executive Officer Dr Robyn Lawrence said, “Governing boards are central to the success of our Local Health Networks and health system more broadly, with responsibility for overseeing all local services.

“On behalf of SA Health, I would like to warmly welcome our new and returning members and thank those who are not returning for their service to our state’s public health system.”

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