Plus, there’s news from SA Health, HNECC PHN and more.
Health Consumers NSW Anthony Brown is “stepping back” from his job as CEO after about 12 years in the role, which he described as “an amazing and rewarding experience”.
“HCNSW is a change-making organisation, that is truly committed to ensuring that patients, carers and families have a voice in designing health systems, services, policies and research,” Mr Brown said on LinkedIn.
“I will remain CEO while the board goes through the process of recruiting our next CEO, then will stay involved to both provide an extensive handover to the new CEO and lead our research work, as consumer engagement manager of research.
“I have learnt so much from the chair and board members (past and present), my amazing colleagues and, of course, from our members over the years.
“The passion and dedication of all the remarkable consumer representatives continue to inspire me.”
HCNSW went on the front foot immediately in the search for a new CEO, saying recruitment is already underway through Scout Talent.
“Welcoming a new CEO with fresh ideas is an important opportunity for HCNSW to build on strong foundations and to continue growing,” said the organisation.
“Thank you to everyone in our community for the passion and commitment you bring to improving the health system. If you know the right person to become our next CEO, please share this opportunity.”
The organisation was also fulsome in its praise of Mr Brown.
“Many people in our community know Anthony for the way he listens, supports advocacy and encourages health consumers to step into consumer representative roles.
“He has also built strong relationships with NSW Health, universities and health organisations across the state.
“We are very pleased that Anthony will continue with Health Consumers NSW, focusing on strengthening our work with universities and research partners.”
Job description and application details are available here.
Signing off after 19 years
After 19 years in the South Australian public health system, Jai Kaur, the current chair of the Australian College of Nursing, is calling it a day.
For the past 1.25 years Ms Kaur has been the advanced divisional nursing director for the Women’s and Children’s Health Network, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of her career with SA Health.
Just over 18 years with the Central Adelaide Local Health Network has included roles as clinical practice consultant at Royal Adelaide, clinical practice director, acting director of nursing clinical practice and performance, safety quality risk management coordinator, neurosurgery nurse consultant and nurse lead with Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Specialists.
“Today marks the end of a very special chapter in my life as I say goodbye to SA Health and public system after 19 incredible years,” Ms Kaur wrote on LinkedIn.
“It’s truly a bittersweet moment and one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make.
“My heart is full when I think about the amazing people at the Women’s and Children’s Health Network. You guys are absolute legends! Working alongside such passionate, caring, and dedicated individuals has been a privilege.
“The compassion, teamwork, and commitment I’ve witnessed every day is truly extraordinary.”
Related
Disability Strategy 2021-2031 Advisory Council
The federal government has announced seven new appointments to Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 Advisory Council.
Created in 2021, the advisory council has been instrumental to the strategy’s implementation, providing independent advice to the Disability Reform Ministerial Council on progress.
The council also offers input on priority policy areas, including education and learning, inclusive homes and communities, and safety, rights and justice.
Chaired by Jane Spring, the council consists of five core members, who are all people with disability, and four state and territory disability council representatives, appointed on a rolling basis.
The new core members are:
- Ebe Ganon; and
- Sara Shams.
The new state and territory representatives are:
- Kelly Brown (ACT);
- Rachel Watson (QLD);
- Chris Symonds (TAS); and
- Ellie Moir (WA).
Dr Nicholas Hartland has also been appointed to the council as a special advisor and brings with him decades of experience working in government.
The council was scheduled to hold its first meeting of 2026 today.
New executive member for HNECC PHN
Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN has appointed Mitchell Cootes as its new executive manager of commissioning.
Mr Cootes, a paramedic by training, joined Hunter Medicare Local in 2012 as a health promotion and disease prevention officer. In 2015, he started with the HNECC PHN within the commissioning portfolio.
Over the past decade at the PHN, including three and a half years in managerial roles, he has overseen programs across a broad range of priority areas including allied health, after hours, First Nations health and chronic disease.
More recently, he has been responsible for several high-profile commonwealth initiatives, including Medicare urgent care clinics and endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics.
Mr Cootes has extensive experience across all aspects of primary care commissioning, including needs assessment, program co-design, budgeting and financing, procurement, contract management and monitoring and evaluation.
Other appointments
Teresa Montagut has been appointed to the newly established position of head of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Mesoblast. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Global Pediatric Alliance, supporting maternal and paediatric healthcare in underserved Indigenous communities in Latin America, particularly in Mexico.
Daniel Coletta has been appointed as joint company secretary of PYC Therapeutics, effective 4 March 2026. Mr Coletta is an experienced chartered secretary who serves as company secretary to several ASX-listed and unlisted public companies. He specialises in providing secretarial, governance, finance and corporate advisory services.
Edward Valenta, formerly director of health and care economy and social impact at the Business Council of Australia, has been named head of advocacy for home health at Australian Unity.