Hunter New England Health Acting Chief Executive, Dr Nigel Lyons today announced the temporary appointment of Tess Capsanis who will be relieving in the position of Tenterfield Health Service Manager from this Friday, 26 October 2007.

Tess is currently working as a senior Nursing Unit Manager at Singleton Hospital and is responsible for areas including surgical, maternity, Child and Family Health, paediatrics, operating theatre, and the Central Sterilising Department.

Tess has previously worked as an Acting Health Service Nurse Manager at WiIlcannia and various senior relief positions in the Hunter New England Health area.

"We are grateful that such an experienced manager has agreed to work in the Tenterfield Health Service Manager position until recruitment to the permanent position is completed," Dr Lyons said.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Ken Hampson who has been acting as the Tenterfield Health Service Manager for the past four weeks, and will now be returning to his substantive position as General Manager of the Lower Mid North Coast Cluster.

"Not only did Ken make himself available at short notice to support the Tenterfield staff, but he has assisted in implementing some changes to processes which have been positively received by staff and community alike," Dr Lyons said.

Tess will be in the Acting Manager’s role until a permanent manager is recruited.

The Tenterfield Health Service Manager position is currently being advertised both internally in Hunter New England Health/NSW Health and externally in major metropolitan newspapers across the East Coast, with a number of enquiries received to date. Applications for the position close on Friday 26 October 2007.