eHealth Queensland Health has appointed five senior executives to tackle digital transformation in the New Year, while strengthening the base for front-line services.

In a show of support for digital transformation, Queensland’s peak organisation, eHealth Queensland, kicks off the New Year with five senior executive appointments to tackle digital transformation in healthcare.

These appointments coincide with healthcare reforms that come under the spotlight at the FST Government Queensland conference being held 16th March in Brisbane.

Among the eHealth Queensland appointments, the high-profile chief technology officer role goes to Warren Prentice. More recently, he worked in the defence sector as the director, IT operations, for Raytheon, one of Australia’s premier defence US-based military systems integrators.

Warren has worked in senior executive consulting capacities with federal and territory governments. More recently, he was the acting CIO within the Health Directorate (ACT).

The chief digital officer role is taken by Cathy Ford. She was acting in this capacity for over a year. She will lead Queensland towards a fully integrated healthcare system. This initiative supports the ICT needs of 16 hospital and health services, as well as the Department of Health.

Michael Berndt joins as the chief customer experience officer. He has spent the past eleven years with Ergon Energy in senior customer insight and strategy roles.

Bruce Linaker starts as the chief solution delivery officer. He was most recently the regional head, portfolio management (Asia Pacific) for Holcim Australia. Earlier, he held senior and executive program and portfolio management roles with Fujitsu, Department of Main Roads, QSuper and Aurizon.

Dr Malcolm Thatcher, eHealth Queensland’s interim chief executive, said the new leadership team has a big job ahead to advance healthcare through digital innovation.

“Over the next 10 years we will see the health system transformed through digital innovation that focusses on healthcare consumers” he said.

Dr Thatcher said the five-month long recruitment process was extensive. There was overwhelming interest from highly-capable candidates from across Australia.

“I am confident that we have established a professional, experienced and innovative team to continue our digital journey at Queensland Health,” he said.

Dr Thatcher noted that the new team will drive digital transformation and unlock the value that digital can deliver. This is to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of care to Queenslanders.

Recruitment continues for the chief executive at eHealth Queensland.

Healthcare reforms are discussed at the FST Government Queensland conference including a presentation by Corey Monaghan, executive director architecture services, digital strategy branch, Department of Health Queensland.