Chief Executive Officer
Jim Fletcher BHA, AFCHSE, CHE, MIPAA.
Jim has held a number of senior executive positions within the human services field. His background includes the role of Chief Executive Officer at three of the State’s largest regional psychiatric hospitals and community services, leading these agencies through significant reform and change. Jim also held a number of Regional Management roles over a four year period with the Barwon South Western Region of the Department of Human Services, prior to commencing his role as CEO of Western District Health Service on July 17, 2000. Jim is currently the Chair of the South West Alliance of Rural Hospitals (SWARH) Steering Committee and a Board Director of the Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association and Rural North West Health.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer Director of Corporate Services
Patrick Turnbull BBus, BHA, FCPA.
Patrick has been with Hamilton Base Hospital since 1982. He has been the Hospital’s principal accounting officer since 1987 and was appointed to his current role in 1993. Financial and business support of patient services is managed through the Corporate Services Division. Among Patrick’s commitments with WDHS are his role as Chair of the SWARH Finance Sub-committee and membership of the Department of Human Services - HealthSmart Services Steering Committee, a key group involved in the implementation of the whole of health ICT strategy.
Director of Medical Services
John Dunn MBBS, MRCP
John commenced work as Director of Medical Services at WDHS in September 2005, following the resignation of Bruce Warton. He had previously been working with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Hobart as Senior Medical Adviser. John has had extensive experience in Clinical and Administrative medicine, having worked as a physician in Australia and overseas.
Director of Nursing
Janet Kelsh RN, ICUCert, BAppSci(NAdmin), CertMgt(Deakin), GradDipAgedServicesMgt, MRCNA.
Janet commenced her role as DON at Hamilton Base Hospital in 1987. With experience in New Guinea and London, Janet worked predominantly in intensive care and neurosurgery in a number of major city hospitals before moving to Hamilton. In her role as DON, Janet is responsible for the day to day operations of the acute services, the overall management of aged care services and district nursing services. Janet represents WDHS on a number of regional committees, including palliative care, infection control, sub acute rehabilitation and nurse education through collaborative relationships with a number of Universities. Janet has completed management studies and tertiary studies in aged care management.
Director of Community Services
Susan Brumby RN, RM, DipFMgt, GradDipWomen’s Studies, MHMgt, CertIVWorkplaceTrainer, AFCHSE, MRCNA.
Sue took up her position as Director of Community Services in April 2002, coming to WDHS from Primary Care & Nursing Services Manager at Heywood Rural Heath. She is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, holds a Diploma in Farm Management, completed a Masters in Heath Management in 2004 and has previously been active in the agricultural sector. In May 2005, Sue was awarded the rural health professionals award (Barwon SW Region) for her outstanding contribution to the health of the community and in 2006 received a Victorian Traveling Fellowship Program to exchange ideas with overseas counterparts that will lead change for the benefit of the Victorian community. She is the Principal Investigator of the Sustainable Farm Families Project.
Penshurst Manager/Director of Nursing
Darren Clarke RN, RM, BN, MN, MAAQHC, MQSA, MRCNA
Darren commenced his role at Penshurst in February, 2004. He has worked in a range of healthcare settings, focusing on health administration since 1993. From 2001 until early 2004 he was Health Service Manager at the Queanbeyan and District Health Service, a 61-bed facility located on the NSW/ACT border. From 1997 to 2001 Darren was Multi Campus Director of Nursing at the 142-bed Riverland Regional Health Service in South Australia, and between 1995 and 1997 was Executive Officer/Director of Nursing at Bordertown Memorial Hospital, a 76-bed facility in the Upper South East of South Australia. Committed to the concept of lifelong learning, Darren is currently completing a Doctor of Health Science degree through the University of Sydney.
Coleraine Manager/Director of Nursing
Tim Pitt-Lancaster RN BN Cert Peri-operative nursing, GradDip Nursing Science
Tim commenced his role in Coleraine in July 2005. Prior to this appointment Tim was the Nurse Unit Manager of the Operating Theatre Suite of the Mount Gambier and District Health Service a role he filled from 1998 to 2005. During 2005, Tim was also the Acting Director of Nursing and Patient Services of the Mount Gambier Hospital.