Susan Gannon steps up as chief executive of Mackay Hospital and Health Service

A regional hospital and health service has welcomed a new chief executive more than six months after the entire board was sacked by then Health Minister Yvette D’Ath.

A regional hospital and health service has welcomed a new chief executive more than six months after the entire board was sacked by then Health Minister Yvette D’Ath.

More than six months after board members behind a major Mackay hospital were scandalously sacked, a new captain is ready to steer the ship.

Susan Gannon, who has worked as a nurse, midwife, and in various management roles, has been appointed as Mackay Hospital and Health Service’s new chief executive.

The position was last held by Lisa Davies Jones, who made the shock decision to resign in August, just months before the entire MHHS board was sacked, to spend more time with family.

Ms Gannon comes nine months after the entire MHHS board, and her predecessor Lisa Davies-Jones, left in the wake of a damning report on Mackay’s obstetrics and gynaecology departments.

Susan Gannon has been appointed the new Chief Executive of Mackay Hospital and Health Service. Photo: Zoe Devenport

When asked whether she had reservations about the role in light of the recent scandals which had beleaguered the MHHS’, including harrowing incidents at Mackay Base Hospital’s obstetric and gynaecology departments, her answer was a firm “No”.

“I knew that I could make a difference, and that’s what appealed to me (in applying for the role),” she said.

“I’m very good at listening, I don’t judge and I want to get all the information before making a decision.”

Ms Gannon, who had been in Hobart for the past seven years, said she was excited about being in Mackay for the long term to make a difference.

“I’m very community focused and I think it’s really important to have community say on what happens in their hospitals,” she said.

MHHS board administrator Karen Roach said she expected a new board to be appointed by late August. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Regarding when a new MHHS board would be appointed, administrator Karen Roach promised this would happen in late August, with the Health Department already considering a long list of candidates.

“The interviews for prospective board members were held way back in February,” Ms Roach said.

“So the recommendations have been put forward to the Minister (for Health Shannon Fentiman) who will look at that list.

“She’ll take that to cabinet sometime in the next two months and then, of course, it has to be gazetted, so we’re expecting the end of August.”

Ms Roach said she believed new leadership under Ms Gannon would need to understand and acknowledge the community’s “grieving” following the various scandals.

Yuwibara elder Philip Kemp welcomed new Mackay Hospital and Health Service chief executive Susan Gannon with a smoking ceremony. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Ms Gannon takes over from interim CE and current chief medical officer Dr Charles Pain, who Ms Roach said had done exemplary work given the challenges.

She was feted in the cafe courtyard of Mackay Base Hospital with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony given by Yuwibara elder Philip Kemp.