BASS Coast Health’s Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of its longstanding CEO Jan Child.

In a statement last Friday, the board paid tribute to Jan’s eight-year tenure, says she has been “instrumental in driving the growth and success of Bass Coast Health as a sub-regional health service”.

Ms Child has overseen major milestones, including significant infrastructure projects such as the redevelopment of Wonthaggi Hospital, establishing an urgent care centre at Cowes, the building of the L. Rigby Cancer Centre at Wonthaggi, and the construction of the forthcoming Phillip Island Community Hospital.

“Under Jan’s leadership, BCH’s community have been able to access more health services closer to home,” said BCH Board Chair Ian Thompson.

“Informed by patient and community needs, Jan has secured important clinical partnerships, introduced a range of new services and improved pathways of care,” he said.

“BCH is a vibrant sub-regional health service and has experienced growth in its staff and volunteers, increased its activity levels and actively engaged and connected with its community.

“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Jan for her dedication and drive to improving health outcomes for our community. She leaves BCH with all our best wishes for her future.”

Tribute to Ms Child

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale worked closely with Ms Child to bring about the improvements in health care locally.

“Jan Child has achieved an enormous amount and at times under difficult and challenging circumstances and I thank her for service to our community, the broader health sector; for her professionalism, friendship, wise counsel over our eight years, and her leadership which at its heart is to make sure we have the services, support and care we need closer to home,” said Jordan Crugnale this week.

“She leaves our community with an indelible list of achievements; from new builds including the L Rigby Cancer Centre, Phillip Island Community Hospital, to the major expansion of Wonthaggi Hospital, a refurbished Armitage House, maternity suites as to an expanded service which sees specialists coming to our area to support, treat and follow up care. Her vision for a redevelopment of Griffith Point Lodge, a move to a level 4 Maternity, better mental health supports, Wonthaggi Hospital stage 2, her strategic and services plan and more – she works as a collective and honours her team and everyone that works at the service at every turn.

“She has positively enmeshed herself in our community from fundraisers, information roadshows, meeting community groups, speaking at forums.

“The upgrade of the Wonthaggi Hospital achieved within the context of Covid restrictions and shortages of materials and labour and no guiding blueprint is an achievement in itself.

“While the impact of the pandemic years may be fading from memory, Jan Child’s contribution will always remain. From the sudden enormity of the chaotic change thrust on our health systems to the detailed infrastructure required for testing sites, monitoring and vaccination supply chains. All needed to keep our community safe.

“Not only has the Wonthaggi Hospital benefited from her experience, commitment, leadership and care but she has also seen the expansion of facilities at Phillip Island, with the Health Hub and its urgent care centre and now the transformation into a Community Hospital set to open next year.

“Her dedication to the field of Health and education is evident in the placements offered to undergraduate nursing, midwifery, medical and allied health students, the training of local students, the visiting specialists, the MOU’s with the likes of Alfred Health and Peninsula Health – our pathways for care and treatment are there and I will continue to ensure the local health network formed consolidates this partnership as is the want of our health workers and community.

“At the heart is community, at the heart is the 1000+ team she has led, at the heart is to keep us well.

“I am beyond grateful of her contribution to our community and that of her team.”

COVID response champion

As well as the development of the new hospital at Wonthaggi and other services across the Bass Coast subregion, Jan Child was synonymous with this region’s response to the COVID pandemic, often making arrangements well into the night, and early morning, as local health services shifted gear to set up testing and vaccination stations, or extend hours in response to need and changes in government requirements.

The health service has moved quickly to maintain business as usual.

“In the short term, Bass Coast Health Board has appointed long-serving executive Shaun Brooks to the acting CEO role. We thank Shaun for stepping into the role, effective immediately, to provide our staff and patients with continuity ahead of a formal recruitment process,” said Mr Thompson.