Children's Hospital Advisory Council

The members of the Children's Hospital Advisory Council (CHAC) were appointed by the Minister for Health, John Hatzistergos, in December, 2005.

Below is an extract from the Minister's Media Release:

"The newly appointed CHAC members will provide significant local clinical and community leadership within the health system. The role of CHAC is to facilitate the involvement of providers and consumers of health services and of other members of the local community in the development of The Children's Hospital at Westmead policies, plans and initiatives for the provision of health services.

CHAC will also have the responsibility to oversee the expenditure of funds raised through donations to the Hospital.

The formation of the local advisory councils is a key strategy in the reform of health services across the state.

Members have been selected for their understanding of the health challenges facing NSW communities. They bring a unique perspective on the issues confronting their local area.

CHAC is a crucial part of the State Government's strong and detailed plans to ensure that local communities and clinicians play an integral role in the planning and development of health services.

CHAC will work with the Chief Executive of The Children's Hospital at Westmead to ensure that clinicians, patients and the community are effectively engaged and consulted.

CHAC will play a crucial role in providing advice on issues such as health service planning and workforce development."

Members Profile

Dr Bronwyn Gould, AM

Dr Gould has experience working in a primary care practice specialising in child and family health for more than a quarter of a century. She has served on the Australian Council for Children and Parenting (ACCAP) since 2001 and as Chair since 2005.

She is a member of the NSW Ombudsman's Reviewable Child Deaths Advisory Committee. She is an active leader with young people in Guides NSW.

Professor Ralph Nanan

Professor Nanan is the Chair of Paediatrics, Nepean Clinical School, The University of Sydney. As a clinical academic at Nepean Hospital, he is responsible for clinical supervision and teaching in paediatrics and is also involved in research.

Dr Michael Fasher

Dr Fasher has worked as a health care provider in western Sydney for nearly 30 years. He is a member of the management committee of the Blacktown Medical Practitioners Association and is involved in the education of parent groups in the community, medical students and registrars in Vocational General Practice Training.

Mrs Joanna Capon, OAM

Mrs Capon is a member of the Health Care Quality Committee of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, the Operations Art Management Committee and the Australian Centre for Photography. She was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2002 for her services to The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

Mr John Conde, AO

Mr Conde is Chairman of EnergyAustralia, MBF Australia Limited and PowerTel Limited. He is a Director of Excel Coal Limited, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust. He is President of the Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal. He is also Chairman of the Australian Olympic Committee (NSW) Fundraising Committee, President of the Dermatology Research Foundation (University of Sydney), and Member of the President's Council of the Art Gallery of NSW.

Ms Kylie Parsons

Ms Parsons is currently an Investigation Officer at the NSW Ombudsman, within the Aboriginal Complaints Unit. She has worked for twelve years in a number of Aboriginal identified positions, working within her community. She has been on a Board of an Aboriginal women and children's organisation and on a number of Aboriginal committees and other committees as an Aboriginal representative.

Mrs Renata Kaldor, AO

Mrs Kaldor is the Deputy Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney and is involved in business, education and community affairs. She was a director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for eight years from 1996 to 2004 and was made an Officer in the Order of Australia in 2002.

Ms Kerry West

Ms West is the Deputy Head Physiotherapist at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. She is Chair of the Allied Health Quality Improvement Committee and is also a member of the Nursing and Allied Health Research Committee.

Mr Bradley Ceely

Mr Ceely is a Nurse Practitioner in Paediatric Intensive Care at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. He has developed a model of care for long-term ventilated children at the hospital and has presented at state and national conferences on critical care and quality improvement.

Mr Harry Michaels, OAM

Mr Michael is the owner and Managing Director of a major innovator of studio and digital outside broadcast facilities. He has created and directed more than 4,000 episodes of the fitness show, Aerobics Oz Style.

Professor Kim Oates, AM

Professor Oates' positions at The Children's Hospital have included Community Paediatrician; Head of the Child Protection Unit; Head of the Child Development Unit and Children's Assessment Centre; Chairman and Director of Medical Services and Chief Executive (retired February, 2006) and he was the Foundation Douglas Burrows Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health in the University of Sydney. He has been President of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (and is currently an Executive Councillor), Inaugural Chair of the New South Wales Child Death Review Team and chaired the Federal Government's National Council on the Prevention of Child Abuse. Professor Oates was appointed to the Advisory Council in June 2006.

Click here for the Children's Hospital Advisory Council Charter.