29 September 2005

Membership of North Coast Area Health Advisory Council

The NSW Minister for Health, John Hatzistergos today announced the appointment of members to the North Coast Area Health Advisory Council (AHAC).

"The newly appointed AHAC members will provide significant local clinical and community leadership within the health system," Mr Hatzistergos said.

The chair of the North Coast Area Health Advisory Council is Dr Sue Page.

The members of the North Coast Area Health Advisory Council are:

• Dr Sue Page - Chair
• Dr Christopher Ingall
• Dr Geoff Ramin
• Ms Hazel Bridgett
• Mr Stephen Blunden
• Ms Sandra Woods
• Ms Leonie Crayden
• Dr Bruce Hodge
• Mr Scott Wagner
• Dr Helena Johnston
• Mrs Carrol-Ann Maher
• Mr Warren Grimshaw AM
• Dr Janice Herbert

Mr Hatzistergos said the formation of local advisory councils was a key strategy in the reform of area health services across the state.

"Members have been selected for their understanding of the health challenges facing NSW communities. They bring a unique perspective on the issues confronting their local area,"
Mr Hatzistergos said.

"The Area Health Advisory Council is a crucial part of the State Government's strong and detailed plans to ensure that local communities and clinicians play an integral role in the planning and development of health services," he said.

"The Councils will work with the chief executive of each area health service to ensure that clinicians, patients and the community are effectively engaged and consulted.

"The Council members will play a crucial role in providing advice on issues such as health service planning and workforce development.

"This delivers on the commitment the NSW Government made when the area health service restructure was announced, to increase the level of clinical and community input when addressing the growing demands on the health system," Mr Hatzistergos said.
NORTH COAST AREA HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Dr Sue Page is president, Rural Doctors Association Australia; immediate past-president, Rural Doctors Association (NSW); and Director of Education, Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health Senior lecturer, University of Sydney.

Dr Christopher Ingall is a paediatrician visiting medical officer at Lismore Base Hospital. Dr Ingall resides in Lismore.

Dr Geoff Ramin is director of Emergency and visiting medical officer Intensivist at Tweed Hospital. He was educated in the UK. Dr Ramin resides in Tweed Heads.

Ms Hazel Bridgett is a long-serving volunteer for Legacy. She is a former director of the Northern Rivers Area Health Service. Her professional training is as a registered nurse. Ms Bridgett is a committee member for the Mental Health and Rehabilitation Service. Ms Bridgett resides in Rous Mill.

Mr Stephen Blunden is CEO of the Durri Aboriginal Medical Service, Kempsey. He was appointed to the State Board Aboriginal Housing Office and is chair of the Aboriginal Housing Committee (Hawks Nest - Tweed Heads). Mr Blunden resides in Coffs Harbour.

Ms Sandra Woods is retired. She is a member of several community organisations including MacLean-Lower Clarence Hospital Auxiliary since 1985. Ms Woods resides in Yamba.

Ms Leonie Crayden is chair of the Mental Health Co-ordinating Council in NSW. She is also director of the Tweed Fellowship. Ms Crayden resides in Terranora.

Dr Bruce Hodge is General Surgeon Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Kempsey and Wauchope. Dr Hodge resides in Port Macquarie.

Mr Scott Wagner is a paediatric dietician and is manager of Nutrition and Dietetics at Lismore Base Hospital. He resides in Alstonville.

Dr Helena Johnston is a part time General Practitioner at the Galambila Aboriginal Health Centre in Coffs Harbour. She resides in Bonville. Dr Johnston contributes to the UNSW School of Rural Health at Coffs Harbour.

Mrs Carrol-Ann Maher is employed by the Nambucca Community Services Council as a case manager for indigenous specific Community Aged Care Packages and Extended Aged Care at Home. She resides in Macksville.

Mr Warren Grimshaw AM is the chair of TAFE NSW North Coast Institute Council, a member of the Southern Cross University Council, and member of Coffs Harbour Future Development Board. Mr Grimshaw lives in Coffs Harbour.

Dr Janice Herbert is chair of St Andrews Village Ballina, a community based not for profit aged care organisation. She was previously deputy chair of Uniting Care Aging ACT and deputy chair Northern Rivers Social Development Council. Dr Herbert resides in Ballina.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au