Rearranging the chairs in the Federal Health Department

Melissa Sweet
Monday, August 17, 2009

Health reform

It may have seemed from recent media reports that the Federal Department of Health and Ageing had escaped restructuring in the recent round of changes to heads of departments. Not so, according to this advice from Lou Andreatta,
A/g First Assistant Secretary, Primary and Ambulatory Care Division.

SENIOR STAFFING CHANGES WITHIN PRIMARY AND AMBULATORY CARE DIVISION

As a consequence of the recent establishment of the Health Reform Taskforce within the Department of Health and Ageing, a number of senior staffing
changes have occurred that impact on Primary and Ambulatory Care Division.

Ms Megan Morris, formerly First Assistant Secretary, Primary and Ambulatory Care Division has been appointed to head the Taskforce and Mr Alan Singh,
previously Assistant Secretary, GP Superclinics Branch, has also been transferred to the Taskforce. As a result of Ms Morris' move, Ms Jan
Bennett has assumed the responsibilities of First Assistant Secretary, Primary and Ambulatory Care Division. I will act in Jan's position as
Principal Adviser, Office of Rural Health and will also support Jan by taking on some other responsibilities in PACD. Ms Tuija
Harms will act as Assistant Secretary, Practice Support Branch.

These changes are effective immediately and are expected to continue for at least six months.

Ms Meredeth Taylor has been promoted to SES Band 1 will return to the GP Super Clinics Branch on 24 August 2009 to take over from Alan Singh.

Additionally, effective 7 August 2009, Ms Sharon Appleyard will leave her role as Assistant Secretary, Rural Health Services and Policy Branch to
become Assistant Secretary, Cancer Services Branch, Mental Health and Chronic Disease Division. Sharon will head up a dedicated team to oversight
the design and roll out of Regional Cancer Centres and will be responsible also for the Cancer Control section. Mr Rob Cameron will act as Assistant
Secretary, Rural Health Services and Policy Branch from 10 August 2009.

The Primary and Ambulatory Division team will continue to work closely with you all to ensure minimal disruption as a result of these changes.

Lou Andreatta
A/g First Assistant Secretary
Primary and Ambulatory Care Division

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Rearranging the chairs in the Federal Health Department

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