Clinical Senate to advise on major health issues facing Western Australia

3/6/03
Health Minister Bob Kucera today announced the membership of the State's first Clinical Senate.
The Clinical Senate features representation from a broad range of health sector professionals - including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals from the public and private sectors, and from metropolitan and rural areas.
"The Senate will provide a broad, alternative voice on the issues confronting the health system," Mr Kucera said.
"It will be an independent and apolitical voice and a forum in which the collective knowledge of clinicians can be shared and directed to the Government.
"This will in turn guide policy setting for the WA health system."
There are several health administrators from the Department of Health who are ex-officio members.
The Clinical Senate includes 50 clinicians and has an eight-member executive, featuring:

• Dr David Andrews (cardio-thoracic surgeon, Princess Margaret Hospital);
• Dr Scott Blackwell (General Practitioner, Osborne Division of General Practice);
• Carolyn Drummond (Senior physiotherapist and allied health co-ordinator, Lower Great Southern Health Region);
• Heather Gluyas (nurse co-director, Osborne Park Hospital);
• Dr Parbodh Gogna (rural GP based in Northam);
• Dr Brian Lloyd (deputy Director General, Health Care, with the Department of Health);
• Dr Mandy Seel (director of population health at Fremantle Hospital); and
• Dr Simon Towler (director of critical care at Royal Perth Hospital).

A Senate chair and deputy chair will be nominated by the executive at their first meeting later this month.
The Senate will provide advice to the Director-General of Health and the State Health Management Team (SHMT) on the:

• co-ordination and development of clinical planning;
• clinical and resource decision-making; and
• other relevant clinical issues for health service delivery in WA.

Mr Kucera said the Clinical Senate would also provide a forum in which clinicians could develop an understanding of the financial management of the entire health budget.
Senators will be appointed for an initial two-year term, with about 25 per cent representation from the rural sector.
The Senate will have access to a secretariat based in the office of the Deputy Director General, Health Care.
The formation of a Clinical Senate was a recommendation of the Health Administrative Review Committee and has been formed following extensive consultation with health professionals.
Minister's office: 9213 7000