Annual Report 2008-09 - Austin Health

The ongoing development and upgrades
of Austin Health’s facilities continued,
with major building works underway. We
welcome the significant developments
at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.
Construction started on the Health and
Rehabilitation Centre, which will combine
the full range of subacute services under
a single roof. Construction will soon
start on the new Centre for Trauma-
Related Mental Health, where specialist
treatment for post-traumatic stress
disorders will be provided. At the Austin
Hospital, the new child care centre and
the Bio-Resources Research Centre
both near completion.
The establishment of the Olivia Newton-
John Cancer and Wellness Centre
remains Austin Health’s highest priority
capital investment. The existing facilities
for the large and growing cancer
programs are unsatisfactory. We are
indebted to Olivia and the fundraising
appeal executive, led by Mr Terry
Campbell AO and Mr Andrew Hagger,
for their commitment to fundraising for
the project. We continue to work with
governments to realise the additional
funding that is required to establish this
vital facility.
The 3KZ Building was demolished to
make way for the Austin Neuroscience
Facility. Following substantial
investment from both State and
Federal Governments, The University
of Melbourne, the Mental Health
Research Institute (MHRI) and a number
of philanthropic bodies, construction
of this facility is now underway. The
building will accommodate the Florey
Neurosciences Institutes, The University
of Melbourne, Austin Health and the
MHRI. Such substantial investment
shows a great commitment to
strengthening Melbourne’s reputation
as a world centre for biomedical and
neuroscience research, and continued
acknowledgement of this site as a
leading research precinct.
On February 7, bushfires caused
massive destruction of life and property,
dangerously close to Melbourne. We are
proud that Austin Hospital’s Emergency
Department (ED) coped with the crisis
with skill and efficiency. Professionals
from the mental health service are
still involved in the reconstruction
effort. The Austin Health community
was saddened to learn that one of
its most outstanding and long-term
staff members, Prof Rob Pierce, died
defending his home from the fires at
St Andrews. Many other Austin Health
staff lost homes and property.
The emergence of the contagious
H1N1 influenza flu centered on
Melbourne, and generated a massive
increase in presentations to the ED.
A highly-skilled team from our Infectious
Diseases and Emergency Departments
displayed tremendous leadership in
managing the crisis as it unfolded.
This year saw significant change in
the health service senior executive roles.
We farewelled Mr John Richardson,
Mr Chris O’Gorman and Dr Mark
Garwood and thank them for their
collective years of service. We were
joined by Ms Fiona Webster, executive
director of Strategy, Quality and
Service Redesign; Dr John Ferguson
as chief medical officer; and
Mr Luke Mulkearns, executive
director Human Resources.
Directors Mr Robert Webster and
Ms Joe Manton both completed their
statutory terms at the end of June.
The Board of Directors thanks
Ms Manton for her contribution over
the last nine years, and Mr Webster
for his contribution since he joined the
Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre
Planning Committee in February 1995.
We extend our thanks to the Hon Daniel
Andrews MLA, Minister for Health and
the Department of Human Services for
their ongoing support.
We close by offering our gratitude to the
staff, volunteers and Board of Directors
of Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre,
Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and
Austin Hospital. It is their dedication,
hard work and focus that were behind
the successful performance of 2008-09.
Finally, In accordance with the Financial
Management Act 1994, we are pleased
to present the following report of
operations for Austin Health for the
year ending 30 June 2009.
Mr Tim Daly AM
Chairman
Dr Brendan Murphy
Chief Executive Officer
25 August 2009
Austin Health : 2008-09 ANNUAL REPORT
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