Overview: about the agency (EFNLHN Annual Report 2020-21)

Our strategic focus

Our Purpose

To drive exceptional health and aged care services across the Eyre and Far North

Our Vision

A trusted provider of accessible, responsive, and innovative health, disability and aged care services to support the wellbeing of our diverse communities

Our Values

Accountability, Connected, Respect, Caring

Our functions, objectives and deliverables

The Eyre and Far North Local Health Network provides hospital and community-based services including aged care, community health, disability and mental health to residents of the Eyre and Far North.

The LHN’s strategic objectives are:

• Responsive Service and Care – we will deliver safe, innovative and consumer-focused services and care
• Skilled, Supported and Sustainable Workforce – we will develop a positive, inclusive, respectful, and caring culture that supports our workforce to deliver responsive services and care
• Aboriginal Health is Everyone’s Business – we will better meet the needs of Aboriginal people and prioritise partnerships to progress the health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal communities
• Interconnected Mental Health Services – we will be responsive in meeting the need for mental health services and care in our communities
• Vibrant Aged and Disability Care – we will provide personalised, accessible, and adaptable aged and disability care

• Providing safe, high quality health, aged care, community and mental health services
• Involving consumers, communities and clinicians in the design, planning and improvement of services
• Ensuring patient care respects the ethnic, cultural and religious rights, views, values and expectations of all people
• Ensuring the health needs of Aboriginal people are considered in all health plans and programs
• Meeting legislative, regulatory and Department for Health and Wellbeing policies and agreements.

Our organisational structure

The Eyre and Far North Local Health Network (EFNLHN) is led by a Governing Board which is accountable to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. The Chief Executive Officer is accountable to the Governing Board and leads an Executive Team as described in the organisation chart below.

Changes to the agency

During 2020-21 there were no changes to the agency’s structure and objectives as a result of internal reviews or machinery of government changes.

Our Minister

Hon Stephen Wade MLC is the Minister for Health and Wellbeing in South Australia.

The Minister oversees health, wellbeing, mental health, ageing well, substance abuse and suicide prevention.

Michele Smith, Chair of the Governing Board
Michele is the Chief Executive Officer of the North Eastern Community Hospital and previously spent 11 years as the Regional Director of the Eyre and Far North Region for Country Health SA Local Health Network. Michele maintains registration as a Registered Nurse and is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management. She has close family connections to the Eyre and Far North.

Bruce Green, Governing Board Member
Bruce is the governance and business expert on the Board. He is a former Mayor of the City of Port Lincoln Council and served two terms as Mayor of Port Lincoln Council. Previously he has served as Chairman of Darling Downs Bacon, which returned to a position of financial viability under his leadership, as well as a Board Director on the Port Lincoln Health Advisory Council, West Coast Youth and Community Support and the Local Government Association of SA. Bruce retired from the EFNLHN Board on 30 June 2021.

Leanne Dunchue, Governing Board Member
Leanne is the finance expert on the Board. She is a self-employed Public Accountant living in Streaky Bay, with previous experience in the banking sector. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr David Mills, Governing Board Member
David is the medical expert on the Board. He has worked as a GP on the Eyre Peninsula since 1988 and is a committed undergraduate and postgraduate teacher. He has worked in the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service, served on the Eyre Regional Health Board and at the time of his appointment, was Associate Professor and Director of the Adelaide Rural Clinical School at the University of Adelaide.

Jamie Siviour, Governing Board Member
James is the consumer expert on the Board. He is a self-employed cropping and livestock farmer from Lock on the Centre Eyre Peninsula. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2018 for services to the local community with an emphasis on rural health. Previously he has been involved with the Port Lincoln Hospital Inc Board, the Port Lincoln Health Advisory Council and the Lock Health Centre Advisory Committee. He is a Justice of the Peace and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Chris Sweet, Governing Board Member
Chris is the legal expert on the Board. He is a partner with Finlayson’s law firms, with extensive experience in health professional disciplinary matters, claims management, clinical risk management and coronial inquests. He served as an independent member of the Clinical Risk and Audit Committee of the Women’s and Children’s Health Network from 2010 to 2018.

Our Executive team

Chief Executive Officer
Verity Paterson is accountable to the Governing Board for the provision, management and administration of health services and achieving the overall performance of the Eyre and Far North Local Health Network.

Executive Director, Nursing and Midwifery
Julie Marron is responsible for the delivery of Nursing and Midwifery professional services and is Executive lead for residential aged care services and quality, risk and safety.

Executive Director, Medical Services
Dr Susan Merrett is responsible for the professional leadership of and practice standards for medical services.

Executive Director, Allied and Community Health
Lisa Campbell is responsible for Allied and Community Health Services which provide a wide range of community, home and hospital-based services covering community health, aged and disability care.

Chief Finance Officer
Hudson Vieira is responsible for the delivery of comprehensive financial services and reporting, as well as the provision of strategic financial advice and leadership.

Director, Aboriginal Health
Sharon Bilney is responsible for the management of Commonwealth and State Aboriginal health contracts as well as Aboriginal Health programs and providing strategic advice and leadership.

Director, Corporate Services
Malinda Watson is responsible for corporate and business services that support the effective and safe operation of health units across the LHN.

Director, Governance and Strategy
Jane Robinson is responsible for governance, including the operations of the Board and Office of the CEO, and is the Executive lead for strategy, performance, communications, and project management.

Director, Mental Health Services
Kathryn Cronin is responsible for the delivery of mental health services within the LHN.

Director People and Culture
Joanne (Jo) Eaton is responsible for Human Resources, workforce services and strategies, strengthening culture and leading organisational development within the LHN.

Manager, Quality Risk and Safety (QRS)
Rebecca Kavanagh is responsible for the quality, risk and safety function, supporting sites and services to provide safe and quality consumer-focused care that is also compliant with national and state standards and requirements. This position reports to the Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery.

Legislation administered by the agency

Nil

Other related agencies (within the Minister's area/s of responsibility)