Central Coast’s newest public and private health leaders for 2022
Meet the Central Coast’s newest health leaders for 2022 as they continue to work together during these challenging times.
Central Coast
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New health appointments have been announced across the Central Coast in both the private and public sectors.
The appointments bring a renewed sense of both sectors working together throughout the ongoing pandemic as the coast continues to see high daily case numbers.
Late last year, Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) appointed its new chief executive Scott McLachlan
Mr McLachlan was previously based at Dubbo as chief executive of Western NSW Local Health District where he ran 38 hospitals across an area the size of England.
He described the time as “enriching” and has a wealth of experience dealing with the pandemic with Western NSW’s major Covid outbreak that hit Dubbo, Walgett and Bourke.
“It was a very difficult time for the community and health service,” he said.
“However with the vaccination rates and health support across the region, we got through and it’s now the most vaccinated population in the whole of Australia.”
He said he had been impressed with how the coast had handled the ongoing pandemic over the past three to four months, looking after each other, themselves and the strong vaccination rates.
“Covid will be a big focus for us in January and February along with the vaccination program with a lot of people coming out for their booster shot which has been very successful,” he said.
“That third dose is crucial as we look to slow the speed of Covid around the region.”
Healthe Care Central Coast have indicated it has started the year with not only new leaders but a renewed focus on growth and collaboration as part of its approach to managing the Covid pandemic.
Former Gosford Private Hospital chief executive officer Matt Kelly is now Healthe Care’s Head of Regional Operations – North which covers leadership and strategic management for eight hospitals and their teams across the coast, Hunter, the Mid North Coast and Dubbo.
Mr Kelly said the latest appointments were important particularly when it came to living with and facilitating health care during the pandemic.
“These are unprecedented times and Brisbane Waters, Gosford and Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospitals all have long standing and positive relationships with the local health district when it comes to co-ordinating treatment and care for the Central Coast Community,” Mr Kelly said.
“Across Healthe Care generally, we have prioritised supporting the COVID-19 response across NSW and Victoria since the start of the pandemic.
“This includes the redirection of more than 100 staff from our hospitals to the areas of greatest need, including the Vaccination Hubs and Special Health Accommodation in Sydney.
“We are proud to have played a significant role in supporting the public sector and the last two years have shown the value of having sustainable private and public health systems that work cohesively together.
“We know that the relationships with our local health district are more important than ever as we navigate the impact of the ongoing pandemic and we will continue to liaise closely with Gosford and Wyong Public Hospitals and NSW Health throughout 2022 to provide resources and support in any way we can.”
He said expansion plans heading into 2022 included a $9m development application to expand the mental health services at Brisbane Waters Private Hospital and plans to further expand the range of services and procedures available at Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital.
Michael Mitchell has been appointed as CEO of Gosford Private Hospital.
Mr Mitchell said he was pleased to be starting at such an important time for the region and the hospital.
“It’s exciting to be joining a hospital which has just finalised a successful 18-month, $32m redevelopment which included the installation of a brand new Day Surgery unit and step down lounge, a 12 bed maternity ward, an 18 bed recovery bay and a 23 bed dedicated surgical ward,” he said.
Mr Mitchell has more than 17 years experience in hospital service management and was recently at the helm of one of Thailand’s newest private hospitals, Bangkok International Hospital. He is also a former CEO of Dubbo Private Hospital.
Mr Mitchell is joined by Natasha Mackey who recently moved into the role of Director of Clinical Services at Gosford Private Hospital. Ms Mackey has more than 30 years clinical experience as a registered nurse across both private and public hospital settings.
Jennifer McNamara has been appointed as the CEO/Director of Clinical Services of Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital.
Ms McNamara was previously employed as a registered nurse, then as the surgical nurse unit Manager from 2007-17 before stepping into the role of Director of Clinical Services at Gosford Private Hospital from 2017 until mid 2021. She is passionate about seeing Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital grow and making health care more accessible to the community.
Meanwhile Central Coast Local Health District has announced its newest board members.
Professor Tracy Levett-Jones, Dr Brent Jenkins and Timothy Ebbeck join a now 10-strong Board that has the overall responsibility of maintaining and improving patient outcomes and
delivering services.
Board Chair Professor Donald MacLellan welcomed the experience the new members will bring.
“They will bring their considerable experience in governance, patient safety and quality care, health research and finance,” Professor MacLellan said.
Professor Levett-Jones is the Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University
of Technology, Sydney. With more than 40 years’ clinical and academic experience, she is
recognised as one of the top nursing researchers in Australia.
Dr Jenkins is an experienced chief executive, manager and strategic consultant with extensive experience working in research and technology intensive industries, including with Hunter Research Foundation, The University of Newcastle and BHP.
Mr Ebbeck has extensive experience in roles as a chairman, non-executive director, board
advisor, committee chair, chief executive and chief financial officer across the technology,
media, sport, and finance industries. He was formerly Chief Executive Officer Oracle
Australia New Zealand and SAP Australia New Zealand.
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