The new NSW Coalition government has replaced the director-general of health, Debora Picone, who has been in the position for almost four years,  with Dr Mary Foley,  formerly National Health Practice Leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia, and prior to that foundation Chief Executive of St Vincents & Mater Health Sydney (2001 -2008).

 

The appointment is being seen as the precursor to major changes within NSW Health.

 

The new Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, has announced that she will introduce legislation puuting management of hospitals into the hands of boards of doctors and senior administrators.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, said that boards would have ultimate responsibility for budgets,  and there will be a high level of financial accountability.

 

"The Director-General has overall responsibility for the operations of the health department. I'm accountable for the system, the boards will have responsibility for local operations and that will mean, and I'm saying this to all the [board's chairpersons], I will look at the skills set of those bodies to make sure they do have sufficient expertise, not only in clinical matters but in management and finances,” she said.

 

Ms Skinner said she would not rule out job cuts in the health department, and has written to all NSW Health employees promising reform, including action against bullying which, she said, has “been around for a very long time”.