Inaugural chief executive of Southern NSW Local Health District, Dr Max Alexander, has announced he will step down from the position at the end of the year.
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Dr Alexander has been in the position for five years and took on the job when the local health district was struggling with its budget. At one stage the budget was in the red by around $20million, but Dr Alexander made consistent efforts to bring it back into line.
His tenure has not always been an easy one, with fierce arguments over the future of Pambula hospital and its role within the district.
Sharon Tapscott, president of Save Our Hospital Inc, said Dr Alexander had a very difficult job.
“He had to take away a service the community didn’t want to lose and he had to make it work; I don’t think he managed that,” she said.
He had a difficult job. He had to take away a service the community didn’t want to lose.
- Sharon Tapscott, SOHI
“The initial brief was to close both hospitals, Pambula and Bega. I think it was an impossible situation and he had to be the bearer of bad news.”
However, Ms Tapscott said there were positives that came out of Dr Alexander’s tenure.
“We identified the need for an independent chair for the Pambula hospital community committee and a new framework and that is still ongoing and has been very beneficial,” she said.
Dr Alexander’s departure was announced to a number of health professionals at a public meeting in Batemans Bay. The meeting was told an independent consultant had been hired to find a replacement and that they were “well into that process”.
Local health district board chairwoman Jenny Symons praised Dr Alexander for his achievements during his tenure, noting his development of the fledgling organisation formed in 2011 into one of the leading Local Health Districts in NSW.
“Dr Alexander leaves the local health district with a remarkable record of achievement. It compares exceptionally well against other health districts, while maintaining financial sustainability,” Ms Symons said.
Dr Alexander said it had been an honour and a privilege to serve in the chief executive role.
“In addition to the leadership team, clinicians and support staff within the local health district, the partnerships we have developed with the ACT, Coordinare and Universities are of vital importance to our work and the health of the region.”