The last Annual General Meeting of Lorne Community Hospital for the financial year ending 30 June 2019, was held recently. It sounds dramatic but it’s actually very positive. From July 1, the operations of Lorne Community Hospital and Otway Health (Apollo Bay) are combined as Great Ocean Road Health.
These final AGMs for both Lorne Community Hospital and Otway Health (now operating under Great Ocean Road Health – GORH) highlighted strong demand for all of our services, including a commitment to expand our community health services.
A focus on Great Care for our community supported by good governance and collaborative partnerships was outlined, along with a commitment to continue working with our communities to ensure this transpires. With increased demands and industry complexities, it is more important than ever that we are sustainable and grow our services.
Stella O’Donnell, President of Lorne Community Op Shop, presented a report on the operations of the Op Shop and its financial support of a wide-ranging program of community initiatives focussed on health and wellbeing, including the Lorne Community Hospital. Further information on the amazing work of our Op Shop will be reported on this page prior to Christmas.
An introduction was made to new members of the GORH Board and new CEO Sandy Chamberlin. Sandy is an experienced health executive with over thirty years’ experience in public and private health care sectors. With a clinical background in medical imaging, Sandy is familiar with small rural, aged care and multi-purpose health services. Sandy recognises the importance of strong partnerships, collaboration and community engagement to improve health outcomes in rural and remote communities and enjoys living in the communities in which she works.
At her previous position at Goulburn Valley Health, Sandy held the positions of Executive Director of Infrastructure and Business, Chief Procurement Officer and Acting Executive Director of Rural Campuses.
The Chairman of Great Ocean Road Health, Nick Salkeld is delighted to welcome Sandy. “We are very excited to appoint someone of the calibre of Sandy. She will bring strong leadership to the health service, with particular experience in change management, and large capital projects. Sandy has recently successfully led Goulburn Valley Health’s Rural Campuses through significant change in Models of Care, a capital project and Aged Care accreditation.
“The Board of Great Ocean Road Health is committed to working with Sandy to fully realise the benefits of amalgamation, to ensure health services in the communities of Apollo Bay, Lorne and surrounds remain sustainable and of high quality.”
“Sandy’s extensive professional background and strong relationships with the Department of Health will be a real asset to Great Ocean Road Health, as we commence planning for a new strategic plan period for 2020 and beyond.”
Ms Chamberlin said she was looking forward to working with Great Ocean Road Health staff and surrounding communities and relocating to the coast. “I am extremely excited about guiding Great Ocean Road Health through the next phase of its development and ensuring we can continue to sustain and grow the services into the future. Partnership with other health services in the region will be important to develop, so we can provide the services the communities need as close to home as possible.”
Ms Chamberlin will commence with Great Ocean Road Health on 18 November 2019.
The Board would also like to acknowledge the significant work of Ms Carissa Brock, who since July 2019, held the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer.
With the announcement in June 2019 of the Ministerial approval for amalgamation between Otway Health and Lorne Community Hospital, our future at Great Ocean Road Health looks bright.
