SA Health southern boss Susan O’Neill calls it quits, rejects insult allegation

A top female SA Health executive has abruptly quit – but flatly rejects claims made in parliament that she was insulted by her boss.

SA Health has been rocked by the sudden resignation of Southern Adelaide Local Health Network chief executive Professor Susan O’Neill.

It follows bombshell allegations in parliament that SA Health chief executive Dr Chris McGowan referred to three top female executives, including Prof O’Neill, as “my three bank teller girls, the ones who are always very keen to take your money.”

The allegation, by SA-Best MLC Connie Bonaros, has been strenuously rejected by Dr McGowan.

Prof O’Neill today told The Advertiser the incident “simply did not happen.”

“I strongly refute the claims that Dr Chris McGowan used inappropriate language at this meeting to describe me or my colleagues,” she said.

“I attended this meeting in person and can categorically say that it simply did not happen.

“As leaders of SA Health, we are all committed to ensuring our high standards of displaying respectful behaviours are upheld at all times.”

Professor Susan O'Neill has resigned as the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network chief executive. Picture: SA Health

Prof O’Neill’s departure on June 30 from the health network – which includes Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Hospital and the Repat precinct – has taken officials by surprise.

SALHN board chairman Mark Butcher said a recruitment process would begin immediately and warmly thanked Prof O’Neill for her service

“Sue has made the decision to embark on a new phase of her career giving more dedicated focus to her lifelong work in improving health care systems and her involvement in academic research,” he said in a statement to staff.

“This next step in her career will no doubt continue to positively serve South Australia, our citizens and our healthcare system.

“I understand this was not an easy decision for Sue, who has shown absolute dedication to SALHN. Sue was able to come to this conclusion because of her confidence in the capability and preparedness of the systems and the leaders developed over her term as CEO, to face the future and continue to steer SALHN in the course of success.”

Prof O’Neill took the job just under four years ago and Mr Butcher noted this was a time of “too regular change and disruption,” after the closure of the Repat, health reforms, and during a period of unstable leadership and when the organisation was running at a budgetary deficit of over 10 per cent.

“How times have changed,” he said. “Sue leaves behind a lasting legacy. She led the organisation through the National Accreditation, introduced the Integrated Management System, SALHN’s Strategic Direction Map and has managed to steer SALHN into a favourable budgetary position.

“Importantly, Sue led SALHN during the COVID-19 pandemic … she has also provided mentorship and leadership support to many in the Executive group and beyond and leaves behind a united and strong team.”

Mr McGowan earlier released a statement saying: “I categorically deny that I have used any disrespectful, patronising or demeaning language when talking with or about my colleagues or at any other times.”

His office says at no time did he use the term “girls’.

On Tuesday in parliament Ms Bonaros claimed he referred to the women as “tea ladies” – which she has since admitted was wrong.