Executive Leadership Team

The Hunter New England Local Health District Executive Leadership Team members bring together significant experience in managing public health services in NSW and come from a wide variety of backgrounds, with particular knowledge of the New England, Hunter and Lower Mid North Coast communities.

		Mr Michael DiRienzo, Chief Executive of Hunter New England Health, is responsible for all services across more than 120 sites, from small rural community health centres to major tertiary referral hospitals. With over 15,000 staff and an expenditure budget of $1.7 billion per annum, Hunter New England Health provides services to a community of more than 840,000 people across an area of 130,000 square kilometres.

		Dr Dinesh Arya, Area Director Hunter New England Mental Health Services, is responsible for the development, maintenance and provision of clinical leadership for high quality mental health services throughout the Hunter New England Local Health District. The mental health service has a strong focus on quality improvement and is at the forefront of the use of clinical redesign strategies that are linked to improved quality of care and engagement with the community.

		Ms Carina Bates, Director Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, is responsible for promoting the work, values and achievements of Hunter New England Health. Key functions of her team include media relations, developing and implementing communication strategies to support the work of the Local Health District, developing publications, event management, and overseeing the strategic direction for the organisation's internet and intranet. Ms Bates' team also works closely with the organisation's community engagement groups.

		Professor Trish Davidson, Director of Children, Young People and Families, is responsible for providing strategic leadership in children's health across Hunter New England Health. The inclusion of this position in the Executive Leadership Team is in line with the NSW Kids Strategy, which aims to draw together overarching services and programs across the domains of paediatrics, child health, child protection and wellbeing, and young people's health to ensure services are delivered through a comprehensive and integrated model.

		Ms Glenda Dingwall, Associate Director Workforce, is responsible for workforce planning, workforce development strategy, human resources strategy, organisational change and workforce capability, learning and development. Ms Dingwall is also responsible for directing the efficient and effective provision of occupational health and safety, human resource and employee/industrial relations services across Hutner New England Health.

		Professor Anne Duggan, Acting Director Clinical Governance, has responsibility for systems that promote clinical excellence and professional standards, clinical practice improvement, and quality and patient safety across Hunter New England Health. Her responsibilities include executive sponsorship of the District�s Risk Management and Clinical Ethics Frameworks and for effective liaison with the Clinical Excellence Commission.

		Ms Jane Gray, Director Innovation Support, leads HNE Health�s Innovation Support team which is responsible for contributing to improved patient care and outcomes; creating an environment for critical thinking and innovation; contributing to a positive and vibrant workplace culture; and building capacity, expertise and knowledge for innovation. Ms Gray's team significantly contributes to major HNE Health strategies by providing advice and practical support for the translation of good ideas into practices.

		Mr Mark Jeffrey, Director Finance, is responsible for planning and reporting on the use of financial resources, monitoring of Hunter New England Health's budget performance including extensive management reporting to the Executive Leadership Team, Governing Council and NSW Health. Ownership and submission of statutory and professional reporting requirements of Hunter New England Health include addressing audit matters and ensuring appropriate financial managment controls and practices consistent with NSW Health and Local Health District financial management policies and directions. Mr Jeffrey also has responsibility for Activity-Based Funding, the Area Facilities Management Unit, Capital Works and Property.

		Ms Karen Kelly, Director Nursing and Midwifery Services, is responsible for assisting the Chief Executive to maintain an appropriately resourced, qualified and competent nursing and midwifery workforce, and for the professional development of nursing and midwifery services. Ms Kelly is also responsible for the Multicultural Health Unit, as well as the Centre for Practice Opportunity and Development (CPOD), a District-wide service for nurses and midwives, which provides leadership, education and mentorship in innovation, research and practice development. Ms Kelly has the role of Health Service Functional Area Co-ordination (HSFAC) with responsibility for coordination of health service response and disaster management.

		Mr Warren Laurence, Director of Information Technology, is responsible for the effective delievery of all Information Technology and Telecommunications services across the District. This includes, Desktops, Networks, Data Centre Services, Telehealth, Records Privacy and Security, Applications Development and a range of applications services and support.

		Mr Todd McEwan, Director, Operations - Acute Networks, is responsible for directing and managing the effective and efficient planning and delivery of all acute clinical services in our district and referral hospitals - including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland, Manning, Tamworth and Armidale hospitals, the Royal Newcastle Centre and Calvary Mater Newcastle - and making sure these services are aligned with the strategic priorities of Hunter New England Health and NSW Health. Mr McEwan is also responsible for ensuring integration within and across networks to help Hunter New England LHN delivery quality health care and implement the Area Clinical Networks.

		Mr Scott McLachlan, Director, Operations - Primary and Community Networks, is responsible for directing and managing the eight clusters across the Hunter New England Local Health District, which include 33 hospitals and Multi Purpose Services, 62 community health services, Area-wide Drug and Alcohol Service, Oral Health, and Aged Care and Rehabilitation. Mr McLachlan is also involved in developing some of Hunter New England Health's Clinical Networks.

		Mr Kim Nguyen, Director of Allied Health, is responsible for providing professional, strategic and clinical leadership for Allied Health across Hunter New England Health. Mr Nguyen also provides input from an allied health perspective into service planning, quality and safety programs. The role ensures that allied health clinicians have an opportunity for input into the development of health systems and practice improvements, and facilitates clinician engagement and feedback to the Chief Executive.