NEW HOSPITAL CHIEF
Diver right person to take organisation, forward, says Cook
FORMER CFA boss Frances Diver has been appointed Barwon Health CEO, replacing Ruth Salom, who sensationally left the job just 16 months into her tenure.
Barwon Health chairman Brian Cook said Ms Diver had shown extraordinary resilience and had a strong sense of fairness, making her the right person to take the organisation forward after a tumultuous period that has seen four CEOs in five years.
“She sees herself as facilitator and collaborator — those are things that stood out to me,” he said.
FORMER Country Fire Authority boss Frances Diver has been appointed chief executive officer at Barwon Health.
She will be Barwon Health’s fourth CEO in five years when she starts work in her new role on April 30.
The region’s biggest employer conducted “an extensive international search” to replace Ruth Salom, who sensationally left the top job in December, just 16 months into her tenure.
Ms Diver, who initially trained as a nurse and midwife, has a long history in the healthcare sector and has worked in a range of leadership roles.
She was CFA CEO from June 2016 to late 2017, having joined the organisation when it was plagued by cultural issues.
Barwon Health chairman Brian Cook said Ms Diver had shown an “extraordinary amount” of resilience during her time with the CFA.
“She sees herself as facilitator and collaborator,” he said.
“Those are things that stood out to me. She has a strong sense of fairness.”
Ms Diver said she was looking forward to working and living in Geelong.
“I have worked with many of the leaders within Barwon Health through my time at the Department of Health and Human Services and feel my more recent experience with the CFA, coupled with my commitment and energy, will help guide Barwon Health through the next phase of its development,” Ms Diver said.
“On a personal level, Geelong is a vibrant city that is evolving and changing, Geelong is renowned for its strong sense of community and I am looking forward to taking advantage of all that it offers.”
Mr Cook said with thousands of staff across multiple buildings and organisational layers, it was ideal to have a leader who created a united culture.
“It’s a tough task,” he said. “There’s some tweaking required. It doesn’t need to be done tomorrow … but over the next five years.”
Barwon Health’s annual report for 2017-18 revealed the health service met just two of nine targets when it came to staff satisfaction and workplace culture.
Mr Cook was “absolutely heartened” that Ms Diver had bought a home in Geelong.
“She’s going to immerse herself in the Geelong community,” he said.
“I’m very confident this will work. We’ve had three CEOs and two interims in five years, we have to make this work.”
Mr Cook said since finishing at the CFA, Ms Diver had been working on State Government special projects.
Barwon Health has more than 7000 public health workers, including those at University Hospital Geelong. David Ashbridge was CEO from 2010-2015 and Belinda Moyes was appointed CEO in 2016, lasting 10 months in the role.
Ms Diver has more than 12 years’ experience at the Department of Health, including working as Hospital and Health Service Performance deputy secretary.
Mr Cook thanked interim CEO Cobus Lotheringen for leading the organisation since the departure of Ms Salom.
The Addy understands Ms Salom kept the Barwon Health board in the dark about her departure plans.
“It has been fun, but at times it has felt as if I was between a rock and a hard place,” she said at the time.