Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
THE freshly appointed chair of the new regional health board has vowed to run a tight financial ship under his stewardship.
Mount Gambier identity Grant King – who has been on a long list of government health and economic boards – has been appointed as chair of the South East Local Health Network.
The board, which officially starts operating in July next year, will see a major shift in governance and administration of health dollars across the region.
Mr King – who is currently acting in an advisory capacity – told a health forum in Mount Gambier this week he looks forward to the challenge.
It was the first time Mr King had addressed the community following his prominent appointment, which is part of the State Government’s decentralisation agenda of regional health governance.
“I think this role is a good initiative of the Marshall Government and the minister (Stephen Wade), who are keen to see this new model unfold,” Mr King said.
He said the return of regional responsibility for health services was an “exciting move”.
“I look forward to the challenge and working with people at the hospitals across the region, the HACs and the minister.”
He suggested there were some “exciting opportunities” under the unfolding structure.
In particular, Mr King indicated a focus on building the community’s confidence in the health system and ensuring financial sustainability.
“I am keen to make sure we run a good ship financially and we have quality and safety of patient care paramount,” he said.
“The patient journey is fundamental and important.
“I want to make sure we get the best for the region that we possibly can.”
Mr King – who explained the board covered hospitals across the region – said it was vital the community felt part of the journey.
The health leader foreshadowed the health advisory councils (HACs) would continue to play a key role given they were “on the ground” working with their local communities.
He noted the achievements of the Mount Gambier HAC over the past 12 months.
“There is an enormous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes and that work is going to be valuable as the board tries to take a complete helicopter view of the region,” Mr King said.
He said work was continuing on putting the boards together and appointing chief executive officers to the regions.
Explaining he had been on a “steep learning curb” over the past few weeks, he said it was crucial the people appointed to the board represented a variety of expertise.
“We are in that process and I look forward to getting the board around the structure, getting used to what will happen and of course getting as ready as we can for July 1,” Mr King added.
Mr King’s interest in the health sector was initially sparked when he was former chief executive of the Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast.
“You cannot have economic development without community development – health services are an important part of community development.”
