The board that oversees the performance and delivery of local public health services has appointed four new members.
The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board brings together experience across medicine, finance and leadership to help shape the future of healthcare in the region.
Dr David Rowlands will again chair the nine-person board.
“Dr Rowlands’ extensive clinical experience across more than 40 years in medicine as a general practitioner will continue to make a positive impact in the Sunshine Coast region,” Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) chief executive Dr Peter Gillies said.
Among the new faces is Gympie nurse practitioner John Degan, who has 30 years of experience in nursing and strong ties to the local community.
“Mr Degan’s extensive frontline experience and local knowledge will be a valuable addition to the board and help strengthen connections between clinical care and strategic decision-making,” Dr Gillies said.
Mr Degan is joined by new board members Chris Ward (deputy chair), Christina Wyer and Matthew Byrne.
The SCHHS joins all other similar Queensland services in welcoming a local frontline practitioner to its board.
Changes to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011, announced last year, require all 16 of Queensland’s boards to include at least one AHPRA-registered health practitioner currently working for its local service.
The changes came into effect on April 1.
