A NEW hospital network council will see experienced Canberrans providing high level strategic advice to the ACT Government on the implementation of National Health Reforms.

According to Chief Minister and Minister for Health Katy Gallagher, the inaugural Local Hospital Network Council will consult with the community about any issue affecting the satisfactory delivery of health services.

“It will provide a quarterly report to me as the ACT Minister for Health, providing details of progress the council has made for each of its functions, and any other significant developments during the quarter,” the Chief Minister said.

The ACT Government will continue to manage the system-wide public hospital service planning and performance, including the purchasing of public hospital services and capital planning, and will be responsible for the management of the performance of the ACT LHN.

The council will be supported by a secretariat, and members will receive remuneration in the form of sitting fees and reimbursement of expenses. The council will meet six times per year.

The ACT LHN Council members are: Michael Peedom, Professor Nicholas Glasgow, Lynette Brown, Mary Montgomery, Colleen Duff, Dr Rashmi Sharma, Michael Moore, John Runko, Darlene Cox and Megan Cahill.

“Today’s announcement ensures the ACT public health system can draw on a variety of experiences, and a thorough level of expertise in a range of specified areas such as health management; medical and clinical practice; knowledge or experience of primary health care organisations; academic, teaching and research experience in the field of health services; financial management; carer and consumer services; and managing public consultation processes,” the Chief Minister said.

The council will form a networked system that will hold service contracts with ACT Health directorate, comprised of the Canberra Hospital, Calvary Public Hospital, Clare Holland House and the Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre.

[box]Local Hospital Network Council members:

Michael Peedom
Michael Peedom is a law graduate of the Australian National University admitted to practice as a barrister and a solicitor who has held the position of Director of Legal Services of the ACT Regional Office of the Australian Government Solicitor’s Office.

Professor Nicholas Glasgow
Professor Glasgow is Dean of the ANU Medical School, and a registered medical practitioner (general practice and palliative medicine) with 30 years of clinical experience and actively practicing as a GP and as a member of the medical team at the ACT Hospice Clare Holland House.

Lynette Brown
Lynette Brown has been a member of the ACT Health Council since 1997 and is the current chairperson, who has been an active advocate for clinical and corporate governance of ACT health services, future directions and planning for the delivery of quality health care for consumers.

Mary Montgomery
Mary Montgomery is currently a member of the Calvary Health Care ACT Community Advisory Board, who has worked in a number of different health management roles in Queensland Health including at the acting district chief executive officer and district manager levels.

Colleen Duff
Colleen Duff’s industrial and health care advocacy skills are evidenced by her successful leadership track record for 18 years as the Secretary of the ACT Branch of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF).

Dr Rashmi Sharma
Dr Sharma has been a director of the ACT Division of General Practice since 2004 and president of the division since 2007. Dr Sharma, in addition to her expertise in primary care, has extensive experience in governance and health system policy through her membership of the ACT Health Council and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Council.

Michael Moore
Michael Moore is CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and was previously a community leader, Member of the Legislative Assembly and Health Minister.

John Runko
John Runko has been involved in the property industry for over 25 years and he has risen through the ranks to become CEO in 2002. Mr Runko’s role as CEO of the franchise group is very much hands on, and he directs all aspects of the group from day-to-day operations through to strategic planning and marketing.

Darlene Cox
Since 1996, Darlene Cox has been a member of Health Care Consumers Association and has been its executive since 2008. She is an eminent advocate for health consumers with an excellent knowledge of the health system, both locally and nationally. Ms Cox has a strong, practical understanding of community engagement principles.

Megan Cahill
Megan Cahill is currently employed by KPMG as an associate director in the Health and Human Services Practice, who works with public health organisations across Australia to assist them to improve their health service delivery. She was an executive director with ACT Health for nearly six years, providing high level advice on a range of issues. [/box]