Western Health has appointed a new chairwoman.
Former state health and education minister Bronwyn Pike was inducted last Tuesday following the resignation of Ralph Willis.
Ms Pike will head an organisation that co-ordinates the Sunshine, Western and Williamstown hospitals, the Sunbury Day Hospital and a range of community-based services.
Her appointment coincides with Western Health releasing a $550 million blueprint for the redevelopment of Sunshine and Western hospitals, including a new women and children’s centre at Sunshine and an emergency department for Footscray.
Ms Pike is no stranger to senior positions or the health sector, with previous roles including state health minister between 2002 and 2007, and state education minister from 2007 to 2010.
Western Health chief executive Alex Cockram said Ms Pike’s experience in the health sector would put Western Health in good stead.
“Bronwyn’s understanding of the Victorian health and education systems will benefit us as we work with the board to address the challenges of providing the best care for our community, seeking the infrastructure we need and achieving our research and education goals,” Associate Professor Cockram said.
Mr Willis stepped down from the role after 10 years and cited the stage one redevelopment at Sunshine Hospital and building the Sunbury Day Hospital as major achievements.
“Just as an indication of how good our performance has been lately . . . we [ranked] the sixth-highest [of 21 major health services in Victoria],” he said. “Given the difficulties we face in infrastructure, growth and demand for our services, that’s really terrific.”
