I’m delighted to announced Tasmania’s new unified health system, the Tasmanian Health Service will be led by experienced health administrator and practitioner Dr David Alcorn.
Dr Alcorn, who is current Executive Director of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, will join the THS on February 1.
He replaces interim CEO Dr Anne Brand, who has shown tremendous stewardship in the role. I wish to thank her on behalf of the Government for her dedication.
Prior to joining the Royal Melbourne, Dr Alcorn led Queensland’s largest university teaching hospital the Royal Brisbane and Womens’ Hospital.
As a board member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists he has participated in the commissioning of college publications, including The Costs to Patients of Accessing Care.
He also led the Postgraduate Medical Council of Queensland, overseeing junior doctor placement post accreditation program.
The Liberal Government’s health reforms are all aimed at creating One Health System for all Tasmanians, offering better services which all Tasmanians have equal access to.
To achieve this we are spending a record amount in health and have committed an additional $100 million for frontline health in this year’s Budget, along with $24 million in new funding for patient transport and accommodation.
Substantial consolidation of management, corporate and administrative functions in the THS have already taken place and more will occur in the coming months.
Dr Alcorn will be based at the THS headquarters in Launceston.
I would like to once again thank our fantastic medical professionals, nurses, allied health staff and all health staff for their continuing dedication to putting patients first, a focus which under our reforms will be matched by the system itself.
I wish Dr Alcorn and the THS every success.
