Forged in fire and COVID: Why NSW just put this local health leader in charge of its biggest crisis | PS News
Incoming ISLHD chief executive Margaret Martin (left) with current chief executive Margot Mains, who is taking up a post with the NSW Health Ministry. Photo: ISLHD. Margot Mains knows better than most just how. . .
Incoming ISLHD chief executive Margaret Martin (left) with current chief executive Margot Mains, who is taking up a post with the NSW Health Ministry. Photo: ISLHD. Margot Mains knows better than most just how challenging the health sector can be. The chief executive of Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) helped steer her team through the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, during which many staff lost their homes but remained at their posts to provide care and attention to patients. No sooner was that crisis over than word came of a new epidemic sweeping the world. COVID-19 arrived in Australia in January 2020, and within months, the world was turned on its head. Life was starting to return to normal after COVID when the health sector was faced with another crisis, especially in the Illawarra Shoalhaven – that of older people becoming stuck in hospitals waiting for aged care beds to become available. Now Ms Mains has been asked to join the NSW Health Ministry as Aged Care and Disability Reform coordinator general, with a focus on working with the Federal Government and other local health districts to reduce the number of stranded aged care and NDIS patients in hospitals. “It’s no secret that our Health District has been particularly impacted by the current challenges of the aged care and disability sectors, which have contributed to older and vulnerable patients being stranded in our hospitals,” Ms Mains said. “This in turn has caused significant barriers to discharge, impacting patient flow through our system. “I have been deeply committed to ensuring that older people and people with a disability can live in the place that is right for them and that they receive the care and support that suits their individual needs. “It’s why I have made the decision to take up this new role and go where I think I can make the most difference, utilising the lessons and experiences of our District in recent years. “I am looking forward to working across these important focus areas and doing what I can to influence change across our system. ”Health Minister Ryan Park paid tribute to Ms Mains, who has been with ISLHD for 12 years. “Margot Mains has been a truly remarkable leader of our local health district. The improvement in our local health services is in no small part because of her tireless commitment and dedication to her staff and our community,” he said in a social media post. “Whilst I will miss Margot on a local level, I am delighted she is moving into a new role in NSW Health. Margot and her team have an enormous amount of experience and knowledge in this area, and I look forward to working with her on one of the biggest issues facing our health system in NSW. ”ISLHD CE Margot Mains (far right) with Illawarra Community Foundation Chairman and WIN CEO Andrew Lancaster, Adam and Kayla Henley and the i98FM crew, Marty, Bella and Christian, at the opening of the upgraded Wollongong Hospital’s Children’s Ward. Photos: Jen White. Once an obstetrics nurse in New Zealand, Ms Mains rose through the ranks of health management, first in her home country and then in Australia. “Reflecting on the past 12 years, I have immense pride in the transformation ISLHD has experienced,” she said. “One of my first priorities when joining the organisation was to strengthen clinical and strategic leadership across the District. I truly believe our ability to plan and deliver high-quality, best-practice care and services is a testament to the hard work of our leaders and every member of our workforce. “We’ve also seen some significant challenges, including the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 and the significant increases in demand for emergency care and elective surgery in the face of the current aged care sector crisis. “Health will always come with its challenges, but the focus on collaboration and meaningful partnerships will ensure that we continue towards ongoing improvements to health and wellbeing for our communities and advancing research that supports better care and health outcomes. ”Ms Mains said she was sad to be leaving ISLHD’s “extraordinary workforce of over 8000 staff and the community I’ve been privileged to serve since I arrived here 12 years ago”. “We’ve seen significant growth and development across our infrastructure footprint over the years, and we have a number of major projects still under way and new ones commencing, such as the next phase of Wollongong Hospital. “These exciting projects, together with a robust and dedicated team of staff right across this LHD, will help shape a positive future for health in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. ”ISLHD’s current Clinical Operations executive director, Margaret Martin, will take over as chief executive from 20 July. “Marg has been an integral member of the ISLHD executive team since joining the District nine years ago,” Ms Mains said. “Her strength as a leader, together with her significant clinical and operational experience, will see her continue to drive our organisation forward. “Her understanding and leadership of service development, models of care, access and flow, and improvement initiatives will ensure our workforce is well supported to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care and meet the evolving needs of our communities. ”Original Article published by Jen White onRegion Illawarra.