LONG serving Mount Gambier Hospital executive Jayne Downs will walk away from her position after tendering her resignation this week.
Ms Downs was expected to return to her position as Country Health SA regional director next month after taking long service leave this year.
The prominent position is currently being filled by acting director Ngaire Buchanan, who is expected to stay in the role until the new regional health board structure is finalised.
While the State Government was expected to release information late yesterday about the new regional health board structure across the state, the South East chair is yet to be announced.
It is understood the recruitment process is ongoing for the position.
Hospital staff were notified of Ms Downs’ departure from the role in an internal bulletin distributed on Wednesday.
Ms Downs managed the hospital during its $26m redevelopment and in recent years during some turbulent times in regards to staffing levels across the hospital, particularly in accident and emergency.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell yesterday thanked Ms Downs for the contribution to the regional health sector and said the hospital must see stability moving forward.
“The most important thing is we see continued stability and continuity of services and there are constant improvements and implementation of the review’s recommendations,” Mr Bell said.
“I would like to thank Jayne Downs for her many years of service to the management of our hospital.”
Following the review handed down early last year, he said there had been a “dramatic” drop in complaints from constituents about the hospital.
He said he had also not seen staff come into his office with concerns.
Mr Bell also attributed this to the change in government given Premier Steven Marshall’s pledge public servants would not be gagged.
Under the former Labor Government, he said staff harboured “fears” about speaking out.
“Staff are now more likely to share their issues,” the Independent MP said.
Regarding the roll-out of the proposed regional health board, Mr Bell said the implementation was taking longer than he would have liked.
“People are unclear about what the board will be and its functions,” he said.
But Mr Bell said it was not important to “rush” the process because of the importance in getting the structure right.
He said he hoped a number of Country Health SA positions – currently based in Adelaide – would be transferred under the changes.
Country Health SA chief executive officer Maree Geraghty also paid tribute to Ms Downs.
“It is with sadness I announce the resignation of South East regional director Jayne Downs,” Ms Geraghty said.
Ms Downs has lived and worked in the South East since 1979, starting her career as a speech pathologist in Mount Gambier.
In 2002, Jayne joined the health service as the regional business improvement manager.
She then had several senior roles in the South East Regional Community Health Service, including Mount Gambier Community Health site manager, regional allied health manager, interim mental health program manager and community health director.
This was followed by a period as cluster director for the Lower South East, before being appointed to the current regional director role for the South East in 2012.
“Jayne has led a number of significant business and clinical initiatives,” Ms Geraghty said.
“She was pivotal in the successful funding submission and then oversaw the $26m redevelopment of the Mount Gambier Hospital and community health facilities.
“The project came in on time and on budget in 2015.
“Jayne ensured the South East community had access to a broad range of quality health services provided as close to home as possible, as well as a commitment to regionalisation.”
Ms Geraghty said Ms Downs had worked “tirelessly with the community, health professionals and other key stakeholders” to achieve this vision.
“On behalf of Country Health SA, I wish to thank Jayne for her commitment, passion and leadership during her time with Country Health SA and for all she has achieved for South East region,” she said.
“I wish her well for the future.”
