The Northern Territory Government has announced the formation of two new Governing Councils that will oversee the Top End and Central Australian Hospital Networks.

 

Territory Health Minister Kon Vatskalis welcomed the appointment of the members of the Hospital Network Governing Councils, which were established in accordance with the Commonwealth’s National Health Reform agenda.

 

“The NT Governing Councils will provide advice to me on the performance of the Top End Hospital Network, comprising Royal Darwin, Gove and Katherine Hospitals, and the Central Australian Hospital Network, covering Alice Springs and Tennant Creek Hospitals,” Mr Vatskalis said.

 

The NT’s Hospital Networks, which come in to effect on 1 July, are a key part of the Federal Government’s widespread reforms to the public health care sector.

 

“Governing Councils have the important role of overseeing hospital system performance and ensuring community representation in hospital governance,” Mr Vatskalis said.

 

As well as advising on the performance of the Hospital Networks, the Governing Councils will also lead clinical and community engagement to achieve more effective service provision. 

 

“This is an exciting part of the health reform process, ensuring network-wide representation in the planning and governance of our hospitals,” Mr Vatskalis said.