The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) has announced the election of Epworth group chief executive Dr Lachlan Henderson as its new president.
Dr Henderson, who has been vice president for the past two years, succeeds Danny Sims of Ramsay Health Care who has resigned his board and council positions as he transitions to retirement.
The association also announced the board appointments of Carmel Monaghan (Ramsay Health Care Australia), Neale Fong (Bethesda Health Care) and Tim Yeoh (Healthe Care). They replace Mr Sims and Richard Lizzio (Icon Health Care).
The new board members take up their positions immediately.
APHA CEO Michael Roff welcomed Dr Henderson's election.
“Lachlan has extensive experience in healthcare organisations in Victoria and Western Australia. He has been very involved in the Victorian response to the COVID-19 pandemic second wave, mobilising his staff and hospitals to ease pressure on the public hospital system and the aged care sector.
“Lachlan is well respected in the private hospital sector and brings a significant amount of knowledge, including medical experience as a former General Practitioner. We look forward to his leadership during the next two years,” said Mr Roff.
Dr Henderson said, “It’s always a great privilege to be elected by your peers to a role such as this. The APHA works very hard to promote the pivotal role the private hospital sector plays in delivering great care to communities across Australia.
“This year has obviously been incredibly challenging for everyone across the country, particularly those involved in the delivery of healthcare. Private hospitals have worked collaboratively to ensure a sector-wide response in managing the pandemic.
“There is still much work to be done to ensure private hospitals maintain and enhance their role in health service delivery and I look forward to working with the new APHA Board to ensure private hospitals continue to deliver great care to the millions of patients we treat every year,” he added.