Bernard Curran, Metro North Board Chair
I am pleased to be able to write to you for the first time as the newly appointed Chair of the Board of Metro North Hospital and Health Service.
It’s a role that brings with it significant responsibility. Together with my colleagues on the Board, new and continuing, and our amazing leaders across Metro North, we will work tirelessly to ensure that Metro North remains not only the best hospital and health service but the most innovative for patient care and outcomes.
I have been a Board member since 2018 and prior to that I was the Chair of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation for 6 years. I am a Chartered Accountant and have worked in professional services in various capacities for the past 40 years. I have a long-standing commitment to equality of access to health and to the delivery of excellent public healthcare for our community.
I would like to formally acknowledge the outgoing Board Chair Jim McGowan AM who has led us with courage, conviction, and commitment since 2020. Equally our appreciation goes to the other retiring Board members Dr Kim Forrester, Bonny Barry, Professor Mary-Louise Fleming, Dr Rob Franz, Geoff Hardy and Neil Roberts. Collectively they have contributed 49 years of valuable service to Metro North and their legacy is to leave a sustainable and strong organisation ready to take on new challenges for the people and communities we serve.
Last week the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women, the Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP announced the appointment of our new Board members:
- Dr Peter Aitken
- Ms Linda Lavarch
- Ms Aimee McVeigh
- Hon. Jane Prentice
- Dr Poya Sobhanian
- Dr Shea Spierings
They bring new skills and experiences to the Board and will join myself and ongoing Board members Dr Meg Cairns, Adrian Carson AM, and Nera Komaric to form a new Board commencing from Monday, 1 April 2024.
Metro North Health has the unique ability to be large enough to innovate, develop new models of care, and offer amazing statewide services but most importantly local enough to put patient care and outcomes at the heart of everything we do. None of this happens without the dedication of all our staff and partners.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank you for the important work you all perform every day.
As I visit our facilities and services throughout Metro North, I look forward to meeting many more of you and to introduce you to our new and continuing Board members.
Sincerely,
Bernard.