A new era in the governance of the Territory’s public hospital system has begun, with the
formation of the two new Governing Councils that will oversee the Top End and Central
Australian Hospital Networks.

Health Minister Kon Vatskalis today welcomed the appointed members of the Hospital Network
Governing Councils, established in accordance with the Commonwealth’s National Health
Reform agenda.

Mr Vatskalis said the Territory, in line with other Australian jurisdictions, would now have a more
effective, networked governance system for its acute care sector.

“The NT Governing Councils will provide advice to me on the performance of the Top End
Hospital Network, comprising Royal Darwin, Gove and Katherine Hospitals, and the Central
Australian Hospital Network, covering Alice Springs and Tennant Creek Hospitals,” Mr Vatskalis
 said.

The NT’s Hospital Networks, which come in to effect on 1 July, are a key part of the Federal
Government’s widespread reforms to the public health care sector.

“Governing Councils have the important role of overseeing hospital system performance and
ensuring community representation in hospital governance,” Mr Vatskalis said.

The Governing Councils were appointed by the Health Minister, following Expressions of
Interest and a rigorous selection process.

“We are fortunate to have a wide variety of skills and a diverse background of members making
up our two Governing Councils, ensuring the views of the whole community are represented in
the governance of our hospitals,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“While ushering in this new governance model, I wish to thank the outgoing Hospital Boards for
their commitment in representing and supporting their individual hospitals over the years.”

As well as advising on the performance of the Hospital Networks, the Governing Councils will
also lead clinical and community engagement to achieve more effective service provision.

“This is an exciting part of the health reform process, ensuring network-wide representation in
the planning and governance of our hospitals,” Mr Vatskalis said.

The members of the Governing Councils for both Top End and Central Australia are:
Top End
Colin McDonald (Chairperson)
Jennifer Peer
James Sullivan
Anne Shepherd
Patricia Angus
John Paterson
Diane Walsh
Ross Springolo
Tamsin Cockayne

Central Australia
Professor John Wakerman (Chairperson)
Bruce Simmons
Joyce Measures
Damien Ryan
Dale Wakefield
John Gibb
Dr Liz Moore
Elliot McAdam
Helen Kilgariff

Contact: Maria Billias 0401 119 746

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