June 28, 2012
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has named South Burnett councillor Cheryl Dalton and former Kingaroy Shire councillor Terry Fleischfresser to the new Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board.
They will join former St Vincent’s Hospital (Toowoomba) CEO Dr Dennis Campbell, RHealth president Dr Ross Hetherington (Warwick), former Dalby GP Dr Ian Keys, Toowoomba paediatrician Dr Jeff Prebble, former Chairperson of the Southern Downs Health Community Council Marie Pietsch and Chinchilla nurse Danielle Causer, who campaigned earlier this year to keep maternity facilities open at Chinchilla Hospital.
Hospitals and health services covered in the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service include Cherbourg, Chinchilla, Dalby, Goondiwindi, Glenmorgan Outpatients Clinic, Inglewood, Jandowae, Kingaroy, Meandarra Outpatients Clinic, Miles, Millmerran, Moonie Outpatients Clinic, Murgon, Nanango, Oakey, Stanthorpe, Tara, Taroom, Texas, Toowoomba, Wandoan Outpatients Clinic, Warwick and Wondai.
Local control of hospitals and health services will begin on July 1.
Mr Springborg said the return of Hospital and Health Boards would spell an end to years of neglect and mismanagement by the former Labor Government.
He said devolved decision-making was a key part of the strategy to rebuild Queensland Health.
“With local boards in control of local health assets, clinicians and health workers will be able to work side-by-side with decision makers,” Mr Springborg said.
“This change is long-overdue and has been welcomed across this State.”
Mr Springborg said Boards would be invaluable in guiding the future management of local health resources, focused on patient care.
“They will be accountable for the performance of the Hospital and Health Boards in providing health services to meet local priorities and national standards.
“We’re getting on with the job of transforming the way our health services are governed.”
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UPDATE June 29:
Cr Dalton said she was extremely pleased to be appointed as a Director of the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board.
“I believe that I can reflect the community needs to help shape the future of health care in our region,” she said.
“The State Government is in a difficult situation with health in light of the current State debt and the ongoing payroll situation. I do not expect any additional sums of money to be available for health but this is a real opportunity to change the way things are done for the better by gaining more efficiencies and better outcomes for our communities.
“I would like to thank the people who supported my nomination and who believe I can contribute to the important issue of health care including Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington and South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Wayne Kratzmann.
“During Council’s recent consultation with the community to develop the Community Plan 2032, health issues were a constant theme and at the forefront of people’s concerns. I am pleased that I can now advocate on behalf of the South Burnett community and local government in this new role.”
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