Chair of the Board Report

This year has been a year of consolidation with the ongoing excellent work of our organisation in the commissioning of health services throughout country South Australia.

We continue to create local and innovative solutions for regional, rural and remote communities and work collaboratively in partnership with our services providers to improve outcomes for everyone.

The Board has continued throughout the year to hold meetings in major regional centres to engage with stakeholders and hear from local people the impact of our programs and where we can improve. We have visited areas including the Barossa, the Eyre Peninsula, The Fleurieu and Whyalla. This has been incredibly valuable for all of us and has led to insights into where we can improve and engage better. Our heart remains in the health of country.

I would like to thank our Board who have worked diligently to ensure the continued good governance of our organisation. We have welcomed Devinia Binell to the Board as a Director. “Beanz” brings a wealth of experience in leadership at Board level in a number of organisations, and as a mentor and engagement facilitator. She is already proving to be an integral part of our team. Professor Svetlana Bogomolova has taken up the mantle from John Curnow as the Chair of Finance for our organisation and is presenting her first annual report at our AGM. Our finances remain in good shape.

I would also like to thank our executive leadership team who continue to provide operational excellence in an environment of constant change.

We have continued to implement a Performance Based Commissioning process for the services which we commission to ensure the best possible outcomes for our stakeholders. In addition, we are currently developing a Health Access and Equity Framework to try to reach those people who would most benefit from our programs. I am also pleased to report that the Rural Health Innovation Fund has been launched and we have successfully awarded a number of grants to local communities to assist them improve the health and wellbeing of their populations.

I would like to thank all of our staff for continuing to work hard in their important part in delivering health services to the people of country South Australia. I would like to also thank all of our stakeholders including our community advisory committee network for their continuing engagement with our organisation and suggestions and feedback in assisting us to provide the best service we possibly can for the health of all country people in our state.

I look forward to the next year of innovation and progress.

Dr Simon Lockwood Chair of the Board*

*As accepted at the Country SA PHN 2023 Annual General Meeting