- Published:
- Wednesday 25 November 2015
On the first day of coming to office, the Andrews Labor Government declared an end to the war on paramedics and referred the issue of paramedics’ pay to the independent umpire.
The Ambulance Victoria Board was replaced and a new Acting Chief Executive Officer was appointed, and previously secret data about ambulance response times was released.
Today, almost exactly one year since coming to office, the most recent response time data shows that response times are improving in comparison to the same time last year, and the Labor Government has announced the new Board of Ambulance Victoria.
The Board, which will be chaired by highly respected former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay APM, will play a major role driving cultural change and modernisation of the Victoria’s ambulance service, and will implement key recommendations of the Ambulance Performance and Policy Consultative Committee. The Committee will provide its final recommendations in December.
The Board, which has been appointed from 1 December 2015 until 30 June 2018, will be:
- Ms Tasneem Chopra
- Ms Susanne Clarke
- Ms Suzanne Evans
- Dr Joanna Flynn
- Mr Ian Forsyth
- Mr Michael Gorton
- Mr Peter Lewinsky
- Mr Greg Smith
These appointees are all leaders in their respective fields, with proven expertise in clinical governance, community engagement, executive management, finance and auditing, industrial relations, law, and risk management. With half of the new appointees announced today being women, the Board represents the diversity of our community, with members from culturally diverse backgrounds, and from both metropolitan and rural areas.
The Board’s top priorities will be to develop a strategic plan, appoint a permanent Chief Executive Officer, oversee improved service performance and culture, and improve links between Ambulance Victoria and the broader health system, so that Victorians can get the care they need in a timely way.
Already, significant changes have been made over the last eleven months to improve Victoria’s ambulance services, and the Government invested an extra $99 million in ambulance services in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget to deliver more ambulance services, upgrade ambulance branches, and provide new and replacement vehicles and equipment.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Ambulance Services, Jill Hennessy
“On our very first day in government, we ended the Liberals’ war on paramedics. Now, we’re taking another key step to rebuild our ambulance service by appointing a new Board who will bring fresh leadership to Ambulance Victoria.”
“This new Board will work hard to restore public confidence in Ambulance Victoria, and create a healthier workplace for paramedics so they can do what they do best, which is saving lives.”
“These individuals bring outstanding skills, knowledge, experience and diversity in corporate governance, especially within Victoria’s health sector.”