ACHS President and office bearers elected

The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) has elected a new President, Adjunct Associate Professor Karen Linegar. Based in Tasmania, Professor Linegar is the representative of the Royal College of Nursing Australia on the Council. She has been a member of the Board since 2004, and was elected as Vice President in 2008. Professor Linegar is currently the Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Care Redesign - North West Area Health Service, a position she has held since 2009. She has also been a surveyor since 2005.

ACHS Chief Executive Brian Johnston congratulated Professor Linegar and all Directors on their appointments.

"We are delighted to welcome Professor Linegar as our new President and we look forward to working very closely with her at a very important period in our history as we enter a new era of a competitive accreditation market," he said.

"Her knowledge of ACHS’s history of developing and implementing health care standards complements her own firsthand experience of surveying accreditation in local health care settings.

Mr John Smith PSM, based in Victoria, was elected as Vice-President. Mr Smith has been the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association representative on the Council since 2006 and joined the Board in 2006. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the West Wimmera Health Service and previously held the post of ACHS Treasurer since 2007.

Mr Stephen Walker, based in South Australia, was elected as Treasurer. Mr Walker has been the Australian Private Hospitals Association representative on the Council since 2000 and joined the Board in the same year. He is the Chief Executive Officer, St Andrew's Hospital, Adelaide.

Adjunct Associate Professor Linegar succeeds Professor Peter Woodruff, who after distinguished service retired from the Board, as required by the ACHS constitution, having completed the maximum term allowed. Mr Johnston paid tribute to Professor Woodruff’s commitment and support over the last three years in his term as President.

"Professor Woodruff has actively demonstrated his tireless support for safety and quality in health care. As the representative of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons on the ACHS Board since 2002 he has played a strong role in ensuring ACHS plays a vital part in improving the quality of health care in Australia," Mr Johnston said.

Ms Michele McKinnon, Director of Safety and Quality,Department of Health, South Australia, was elected to the Board as a representative of Governments. The vacancy arose following the completion of the allowable term by Dr Len Notaras, AM who made a significant contribution.

Other councillors re-elected as directors were Ms Helen Dowling, who represents the Allied Health Professions Australia, and Mr Stephen Murby, Chair, Consumers Health Forum of Australia.