13 July, 2022
Brad Jones exits Health Service
Brad Jones, who has been General Manager of Clifton Community Health Services (CCHS) for the past eight years, left the organisation on Friday, 8 July after the Board decided that the position of General Manager had become redundant.
The departure came as a surprise to many people across the district, despite a claim from the Health Service that an announcement was made in early June.
During his eight year tenure, Mr Jones has led significant progress at the Clifton Co-op Hospital facility including the establishment of a new Medical Practice and Sunflower Lodge, a dementia specific unit.
He has also overseen the refurbishment of the Nirvana Hostel and recently, the introduction of a Home Care Service.
Mr Jones lists among other highlights of his time at CCHS, a refit to ensure compliance with current fire safety legislation, the introduction of environmental measures including an additional 500,000 litres of on-site water storage and filtration and the installation of 82 kilowatts of solar power generation.
Mr Jones said it has been an honour and privilege to serve as the organisation’s inaugural General Manager.
He extended his thanks to the vast range of people who have been associated with him during his time with CCHS including his wife Kym and son Lachlan, who have been involved in many aspects of the centre, the residents, patients,
staff, volunteers, community groups, businesses, donors and supporters.
Mr Jones said he intends to remain living on his property at Deuchar, and will continue in his role as president of Clifton Meals on Wheels.
He has also been involved with a number of other organisations including the Clifton Scouts and the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He has also been a very capable MC at various events, including the annual Australia Day celebrations.
The Chairman of the Clifton Co-op Hospital Ltd Board, Andrew Douglas said the Board is very sorry to see Brad Jones go.
“We’ve had a very good working relationship over a long time,” he said.
“We hope he’ll stay as part of the CCHS family.”
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
Mr Jones will not be replaced as General Manager.
Mr Douglas said that role has been made redundant.
Instead, there will be two Executive Directors appointed and each will report directly to the Board.
One of those roles has been filled.
Wannapa Foytong has been appointed as Executive Director, Operations.
Ms Foytong, who is highly experienced in regional aged care, will be responsible for the medical centre, the hospital and aged care aspects of CCHS.
Mr Douglas said interviews are currently taking place ahead of the appointment of Executive Director, Community.
That person will be responsible for stakeholder engagement, revenue growth, the Vedette Villas and the facilities of the complex and for business development.
Mr Douglas said it’s no secret that CCHS is under financial pressure, as are many similar facilities across Australia.
One of the significant problems is the failure by successive Federal Governments to sustain a satisfactory level of funding.
Mr Douglas pointed to the recent increases in relation to staffing costs as an example of the financial pressure.
As of July 1 this year, wage increases and additional superannuation contributions - now at 10.5 per cent - have lifted the CCHS wages bill by 5.5 per cent, while aged care funding from the Government has risen by only 1.7 per cent.
Mr Douglas said this variation has been happening year-on-year for close to a decade.
He said the Clifton Co-op Hospital Ltd’s Board has been spending a great amount of time on the financial situation, keeping in mind that the primary focus of the Board is to ensure that the facility remains local.
COVID
Another issue which has been creating problems for the health complex is the current Covid pandemic.
A current outbreak in the facility is the third to be experienced since the pandemic struck.
“We’ve been lucky to have had all residents vaccinated,” Mr Douglas said.
“Brad (Jones) and the team have done a great job in keeping it under control.”
DOCTOR SHORTAGE
As is the case across rural Australia, the Clifton Medical Centre is facing something of a crisis due to the lack of General Practitioners (GPs) in regional areas.
While this issue is frustrating for patients, who have long waits for an appointment to see a GP locally, trying to find additional GPs is also frustrating the CCHS administration.
Mr Douglas said the local Health Service has advertised widely in Australia but has not had success in attracting any new doctors.
“We are now potentially looking to undertake an international campaign to find GPs,” he said.
BOARD DIRECTORS
With seven Board members, CCHS is currently one director short.
Along with Mr Douglas, the Board consists of Clifton locals Anne Glasheen, Haydn O’Leary and Leo Herzig, Toowoomba-based Sarah Choyce and John Henderson, and Rose Platter from Brisbane.
“We are looking to appoint another director - we are profiling the skills we want on the board,” Mr Douglas said.
