Bombshell resignation: Women’s and Children’s Hospital Network boss quits

Women’s and Children’s Hospital boss Lindsey Gough has quit her senior position, finishing in a week and sparking a scramble to find a replacement.

The head of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Network, Lindsey Gough, has quit her role and will finish up in a week, saying she will take a break before considering “what is next”.

Ms Gough has been chief executive of the WCHN since 2018 and today told staff she will be leaving on Friday, September 8.

The sudden exit follows a tumultuous month including the cochlear implant scandal where a scathing review found problems with the service dating back 17 years, with up to 30 children facing development delays after their implants were wrongly programmed.

It also follows the Coroner’s finding that a six-week-old baby died in the WCH when his oxygen levels dropped after doctors decided to put off a procedure until the morning.

Deputy State Coroner Ian White found Logan Scott Fergusson’s 2016 death was “potentially preventable” but was unable to say “with certainty” it was preventable.

The WCH also embarrassingly lost training accreditation for its Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and only gained provisional accreditation for its Neonatal ICU — the PICU has since won back provisional accreditation.

Chief executive of the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network, Rebecca Graham, will stand in as interim chief executive while a recruitment search commences.

Lindsey Gough has quit as chief of the Women's and Children's Health Network.

Women's and Children's Hospital in North Adelaide. Picture: Matt Loxton

Ms Gough’s message to staff said it had been a privilege to work with them.

“This year has been very challenging, both professionally and personally, including the loss of my Dad a few months ago, in addition to the many things happening across our Network,” her message said.

“It has been my privilege and pleasure to be your Chief Executive Officer for the last five and a half years.

“In that time, much has been achieved.

“This includes the introduction of Governing Boards, developing Strategy 2026, commencing planning for a New WCH, managing a global pandemic, and we have taken huge strides in our digital maturity with the development of virtual services and the recent rollout of EMR Sunrise.

“Above all I have enjoyed participating in our many events and having a front-row seat to the high-quality care we provide South Australian women, babies, children, young people and their families.

“Thank you all for your support, hard work, dedication and friendship.

“I will miss you all.”

Women's and Children's Hospital in North Adelaide. Picture: Matt Loxton.

WCHN Governing Board Chair Associate Professor Christine Dennis thanked Ms Gough and “wished her the very best.”

“Lindsey has successfully navigated the WCHN through significant change over the past five and a half years,” she said.

Prof Dennis moved to reassure staff that “at this time of change, the Board remains committed to building on the current strategic and operational momentum in a spirit of positive collaboration with you all.”

“I am confident that together, we can achieve our Network’s vision of being a leading and respected health network for women, babies, children, young people and their families.”

Ms Gough has 40 years’ experience in healthcare in the UK and Australia, more than half in management.

Prior to joining the WCHN she worked as deputy chief executive at Western New South Wales Local Health District, held leadership roles at Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Health Workforce Australia and within the Central Adelaide Local Health Network.