SA Ambulance boss Jason Killens and chief pharmacist Steve Morris both quit

SA Ambulance Service boss Jason Killens and the state’s chief pharmacist Steve Morris have both quit to take lucrative new jobs.

SA Ambulance Service chief executive Jason Killens. Picture Roger Wyman

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SA AMBULANCE Service chief executive Jason Killens and SA Health’s chief pharmacist Steve Morris have both quit to take new jobs.

The moves continue an exodus of senior people from SA Health — but opens opportunities for staff with new chief executive Dr Chris McGowan indicating a desire to promote suitable talent from within SA Health’s ranks.

Mr Killens has accepted a role as chief of the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

He has been at the helm of SAAS since 2015, managing the opening of additional ambulance stations as well as introducing new technology and other innovations to SAAS.

He will lead SAAS over the next three months while interim arrangements are made.

Dr McGowan — who has just taken over from outgoing chief executive Vickie Kaminski — thanked Mr Killens and wished him will for his return to the UK.

“Under Jason’s leadership, SAAS became the first ambulance service in Australia to receive accreditation from the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, meaning the services provided by SAAS achieves or exceeds industry best practice,” Dr McGowan noted.

Chief Pharmacist and executive director of SA Pharmacy Steve Morris has accepted a national role as chief executive NPS MedicineWise.

SA Health deputy chief executive Lynne Cowan said recruitment for the role would begin shortly.

She thanked Mr Morris for his nine years as both Chief Pharmacist and Executive Director of SA Pharmacy where he provided strong leadership and governance over pharmacy services.

“He led the initial establishment of SA Pharmacy and subsequent evolution of safe, effective, equitable and contemporary pharmacy services supporting health professionals and patients,” she said.