The Liberal Government is reforming our health system to ensure patients are at the forefront of every decision.
We are very pleased to announce that one of Tasmania’s most experienced healthcare executives, John Ramsay, has been appointed as the chair of the three Tasmanian Health Organisations, which from July this year will merge to become a single Tasmanian Health Service.
Mr Ramsay takes over the leadership of the THOs at a time of great challenge and change.
The Liberal Government has announced significant reforms in health including the creation of a single Tasmanian Health Service from 1 July 2015 to bring greater efficiency and a stronger focus on the needs of patients.
As chair, Mr Ramsay will play a major part in delivering a coordinated health system and ensuring a smooth and successful transition to a single organisation.
The THOs are currently separate statutory authorities, each with its own CEO which reports to its own governing council.
This will change in 2015 as the three organisations merge into one statewide service provider, delivering significant savings to reinvest into health.
As a former Secretary of the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services Mr Ramsay has significant experience in health and human service delivery in Tasmania.
He has also recently finished a term as Chair of the Environmental Protection Authority of Tasmania, and is currently a member of the Tasmanian Planning Commission and Board of the Menzies Research Institute Tasmania.
In 2014, Mr Ramsay headed the Royal Hobart Hospital Rescue Taskforce which saved that important project from the disastrous path it was headed down under the previous government.
Mr Ramsay’s appointment and the upcoming merger of the THOs are just the start of the significant reforms which the Liberal Government is undertaking to break the cycle of Tasmania having some of the worst health outcomes in Australia.
In late 2014 we released a Green Paper to launch the consultation process on delivering safe and sustainable clinical services in Tasmania. This consultation and the resulting White Paper will map out a new way forward for health in Tasmania.
The Government wishes to thank outgoing chair Graeme Houghton for his valuable contribution as chair of the THOs since their inception in 2012.
As the inaugural chair he was able to guide the three health organisations towards greater levels of co-operation and provided commendable leadership to the three organisations.
Rene Hidding, Acting Minister for Health
