The Tasmanian Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne, has confirmed Graeme Houghton as the first chairperson of the state’s three Tasmanian Health Organisation (THO).

 

Ms O’Byrne said the selection was a significant step forward for national health reform and the establishment of Tasmanian Health Organisations (THOs), which come into force this year.

 

“Mr Houghton is a highly skilled healthcare manager and Tasmania is fortunate to have secured his experience for the benefit of our health system,” Ms O’Byrne said.

 

“As the single chair of the three THOs he will play a major role in delivering a coordinated health system while ensuring that local control and local decision making is maintained across the State.”

 

The THOs have been developed to replace the current Area Health Services model as of July, with each body being a separate statutory authority with its own CEO who will in turn report to its own governing council.

 

Mr Houghton will begin his role at the end of January.

 

Mr Houghton has extensive experience in healthcare management, most recently as a Hospital Standards and Accreditation Adviser with the National Department of Health in Papua New Guinea.

 

He is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management, an Adjunct Associate Professor at La Trobe University’s School of Public Health and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Guide Dogs Victoria.