New chief focused on care in country

In Broome last week to meet with the local branch, WA Country Health Service’s newly appointed chief executive, Ian Smith, said despite many challenges, he was pleased with the improvements in WACHS’ services in the region in recent years.

Ian Smith took up the role on January 31, having spent most of his working career in rural WA, including 15 years in rural health service management.

Previously WACHS’ regional director for the Great Southern, Mr Smith has held leadership roles with the service in the Pilbara, Kimberley, and South West regions, as well as Perth.

While in town, Mr Smith commended WACHS Kimberley regional director Kerry Winsor, her team and all the other health organisations and networks on working together “brilliantly”.

“The partnerships are just great here – that they can plan and collaboratively deliver services based on need is one of the Kimberley’s great strengths,” he said.

Mr Smith said it was also great to see people’s health improving as a result of tighter alcohol restrictions. WACHS was also committed to maintaining high-quality service, while also battling to recruit and retain staff in an internationally competitive market, Mr Smith explained.

Mr Smith said within each of its regions, WACHS was focused on improving its processes so that each patient was better cared for and was better informed about, and engaged with, their own health care.