Primary health care leaders appointed to boards

Two highly accomplished health leaders have recently been appointed to prominent hospital health boards in Queensland.

Former CEO of Brisbane North PHN, Dr Abbe Anderson will join the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board while Dr Meg Cairns will be a new addition to the Metro North Hospital and Health Service Board. Both are highly experienced health professionals and will be valuable additions to these health system boards.

Dr Anderson is well regarded throughout the sector, holds a PHD in Public Health and Community Health, is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and has been more than 30 years’ experience working in not for profit, private and public health entities. As CEO, she led the Brisbane North PHN through two organisational transformations.

Dr Cairns is currently the Chair of Brisbane North PHN’s Clinicians Advisory Group and a member of the PHN Clinical Council. Dr Cairns is also an integral part of the PHNs GP Liaison Officer team supporting improvements across the acute and primary health care system.

Brisbane North PHN CEO Libby Dunstan praised both Dr Anderson and Dr Cairns, noting the significant contribution each has made to the health and community care system for the Brisbane North region.

“Dr Anderson and Dr Cairns are well respected primary health care leaders,” said Ms Dunstan.

“These appointments will bring invaluable primary health care expertise to their respective boards.”

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath released a statement announcing the recent appointments: “Dr Anderson is currently a Non-Executive Director at Beyond Blue as well as holding roles at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and the Brisbane North Primary Health Network, demonstrating a passion for supporting the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders across many different areas.”

Minister D’Ath also welcomed Dr Cairns to Metro North Hospital and Health Service Board and said Dr Cairns had a strong record in primary care, along with serving on multiple clinical networks, committees, and advisory groups.

“Through her work as a GP and positions on many clinical organisations such as the Queensland Maternal and Perinatal Quality Council, Dr Cairns has demonstrated her commitment to improving the health of Queenslanders.

“I know Dr Cairns will work hard to ensure residents in Brisbane’s north continue to receive excellent health services.” said Minister D’Ath.