Top health administrator to oversee new deal for health

18/06/04
The State Government has appointed one of Western Australia's top hospital administrators, Dr Neale Fong, to implement sweeping reforms to the State's public health system.
Dr Fong will be responsible for driving the changes recommended by the Health Reform Committee report chaired by Professor Michael Reid.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the appointment of Dr Fong showed the Government was committed to providing the best possible health service to all Western Australians.
"I am delighted that the Government has been able to recruit someone of the calibre of Dr Fong to oversee what amounts to the most important changes to the health system in the State's history," Mr McGinty said.
"We have a unique opportunity to rebuild the public health system in WA and are fortunate enough to have recruited the administrator of one of the best run private hospitals in the nation.
"This appointment will ensure that the recommendations of the Reid report are implemented effectively and in a financially sustainable manner."
Dr Fong will take on the dual role as executive chairman, Health Reform and Implementation Taskforce and chief executive, North Metropolitan Area Health Service.
His key duties will include:

• implementing the recommendations adopted by the Government of the 2004 Health Reform Committee by providing the Department of Health with the necessary leadership, guidance and support;
• directing each of the Health Service Area chief executives in Metropolitan Health Services, the South-West Health Service and the WA Country Health Service in relation to the implementation of the Reid recommendations;
• managing the operations of the North Metropolitan Area Health Service, which includes Royal Perth Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and other public hospitals designated as part of the north metropolitan area;
• reviewing all current operational costs, resource allocations, services, benefits and structures to determine if they fulfil the objectives of the Health Reform Committee; and
• ensuring effective expenditure of Government capital investment allocated for the implementation of the Reid reforms.

Mr McGinty said implementing such a massive reform package was a major challenge, which was why the Government was prepared to pay Dr Fong an annual salary of $448,000.
Dr Fong would also receive a performance bonus of $53,856 per year, based on the implementation of the Reid recommendations.
Mr McGinty acknowledged that Dr Fong's package was a generous one but said it was what the market attracted.
"The Government needed to head-hunt the best person from the private hospital sector for this position and that is what we have got in Dr Fong," he said.
"For the first time in health we are offering a performance-based salary that will only be paid on delivery of these wide-ranging reforms."
The Minister said the State Government was able to recruit Dr Fong because it had the vision outlined by the Reid report and Cabinet had approved the $1.7billion of capital funding to implement the reforms.
In addition, the Health Department was in good financial shape and expected to deliver a balanced budget this financial year.
Dr Fong will take up his position from August 1 for a fixed term of five years.
Minister's Office - 9220 5000