A former Western Sydney Local Health District executive will lead the Southern NSW Local Health District, following the August resignation of CEO Janet Compton.
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Former Westmead Hospital general manager Andrew Newton takes the reins of a new-look health district, looking to move forward following a scathing review of the South East Regional Hospital earlier this year.
New SNSWLHD board chair Dr Allan Hawke said Mr Newton’s appointment “signals a new era for the organisation” as it works to improve its delivery of services “along with the redevelopment projects throughout the LHD”.
The health district said Mr Newton is “ideally suited to the position, due to his significant experience in health service delivery, strategic and operational leadership as well as capital development and implementation”.
“Andrew comes with a strong background across a wide variety of areas within health, having spent three years as General Manager of Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals and three years as general manager at Westmead and Auburn hospitals,” Dr Hawke said.
“He has the skills and experience to put in place a first-class health system throughout Southern NSW.”
Mr Newton began his career as a nurse at Blacktown Hospital in 1994, after moving to Australia from Sunderland in north east England.
After managing Cowra, Parkes and Forbes hospitals in rural NSW, he was appointed general manager of Dubbo Hospital in 2009.
He oversaw the first stage of expansion of Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals as general manager, becoming general manager of Westemad, one of the state’s busiest hospitals, in 2014.
During his time with the Western Sydney Local Health District, Mr Newton “gained redevelopment experience leading a major multi-million dollar capital works program”, the SNSWLHD said.
The $900million redevelopment saw him work ”closely with staff, precinct partners and the community”, they said.
Dr Hawke thanked outgoing acting CEO Julie Mooney for her “sterling contribution” since Ms Compton’s sudden departure.
“The LHD has been fortunate to have someone of Julie Mooney’s experience and commitment in the acting role; we look forward to having her work closely with the new chief executive,” he said.