New directors appointed to Healthdirect Australia

Healthdirect Australia welcomes three new directors, Dr Stephen Duckett, Professor Christine Kilpatrick and Mr Richard Taggart, from 1 January 2023.

Healthdirect Australia, a government owned entity, provides access to trusted, free health information and advice to Australian consumers, via a range of digital and virtual services.

The new board directors were appointed for a three-year term following a merit-based recruitment process endorsed by Healthdirect Australia’s shareholders, comprising the Australian Government and all states and territories, except Queensland.

The directors bring extensive experience in public health policy, digital health, change and risk management, clinical governance, technology and innovation.

The term of the current Chair of the Board, Ms Jane Muirsmith, has also been extended for an additional year to steer Healthdirect Australia through the implementation of significant new capabilities and efficiencies, while ensuring its ability to respond to national health emergencies.

Outgoing Board members are Dr Helen Nott and Ms Gayle Ginnane, who both served on the Board and sub-committees from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022.

Healthdirect Australia played a critical role in delivering an integrated national response to COVID-19 and the 2022 winter season and is funded to continue providing services including the 24/7 nurse healthdirect helpline, after-hours GP helpline, National Coronavirus Helpline and the My Aged Care contact centre. Healthdirect Australia will continue to deliver digital self-help tools such as the Symptom Checker and Service Finder.

Chair of the Board, Healthdirect Australia, Ms Jane Muirsmith, says, “The calibre of the incoming board members is a testament to the raised profile of Healthdirect Australia over the past few years, which is directly tied to the rise in demand for trusted virtual healthcare. I look forward to working together to realise the potential for a healthier Australia through digital channels.

New Healthdirect Board Members

Dr Stephen Duckett AM

Dr Duckett has been a leader in health care operations and policy in Australia and Canada, including as a past Secretary of the Australian Department of Health. An economist by profession, he is renowned for evidence-based innovation and reform in areas ranging from the introduction of activity-based funding for hospitals to new systems of accountability for the safety of hospital care.

Professor Christine Kilpatrick AO

Prof Kilpatrick has been Chief Executive of the Royal Melbourne Hospital since 2017 and is a member of several boards including WEHI, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, HealthShare Victoria and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance. Prior to her executive career she was a neurologist working in both public and private practice.

Mr Richard Taggart

Mr Taggart has more than 20 years’ experience as a transformative leader in digital health. He is currently the Chief Information Officer with Sydney Local Health District and Independent Chair of Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator, which brings together researchers and industry investors to translate research into new benefits for patients. He has extensive experience in digital health, innovation and operation of large-scale service delivery.

Continuing Board members

Ms Jane Muirsmith, Chair

Jane is an accomplished digital and marketing strategist, having held several executive positions in Sydney, New York, Melbourne, Singapore and Perth. Jane is Managing Director of Lenox Hill, a digital strategy and advisory firm, and is a Non-Executive Director of Cedar Woods Properties Ltd, the Australian Finance Group (AFG) and the Telethon Kids Institute. Jane is a member of the University of Western Australia Business School's Ambassadorial Council and a former President of the Western Australian Women's Advisory Council to the Minister for Women’s Interests.

Professor David Ashbridge

David has held senior roles in health in both State and Commonwealth governments. David was CEO of Barwon Health and previously worked for 22 years in the Northern Territory, where he practised initially as a remote area medical officer in Aboriginal communities. David moved into health administration and was CEO of the Northern Territory Department of Health from 2006 to 2010. Most recently, David was an advisor to the National Disability Insurance Agency. David is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP).

Ms Louise McElvogue

Louise is an expert in strategy and consumer technology who has worked leading digital change for corporate and government in the US, UK and Australia. Her current board roles include listed educational technology company Cluey, and the Australian Institute of Company Director's NSW Council. Louise has delivered more than 30 digital strategy projects, including the first video streaming services for the UK broadcasters the BBC and Channel 4, and products for McDonald’s, British Gas and Diageo. She served as Industry Professor at UTS Business School curating the online Master Digital Marketing and teaching on MBA and Futures Academy programs before her appointment as an Adjunct Professor. Louise was appointed to the Convergence Review which reviewed regulation of media and technology for the Federal Government. Previous board roles include Cybersecurity platform WhiteHawk and NSW Government’s Sydney Living Museums. Louise has taken a leave of absence from Healthdirect Australia’s Board of Directors until June 2023.

Ms Peta Jurd

Peta is the Chief Commercial Officer and Company Secretary of digital health technology company Smartz Limited. Prior to this, Peta was Executive Director at Technology Enabling Healthcare and Head of Hills Health Solutions at Hills Limited. Peta has also held senior management positions at Telstra, Veolia Environmental Services and Mayne Nickless Health Care. Peta has more than 18 years’ experience in healthcare and has substantial board experience in a variety of roles, including nine years as a Board Director for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.