BASS Coast Health’s Board of Directors accepted the resignation of its longstanding CEO Jan Child.

During Jan’s eight-year tenure, she has been instrumental in driving the growth and success of Bass Coast Health as a sub-regional health service.

Jan has overseen major milestones, including significant infrastructure projects such as the redevelopment of Wonthaggi Hospital, establishing an urgent care centre at Cowes, the building of the L. Rigby Cancer Centre at Wonthaggi, and the construction of the forthcoming Phillip Island Community Hospital.

Under Jan’s leadership, BCH’s community have been able to access more health services closer to home, said BCH Board Chair Ian Thompson.

“Informed by patient and community needs, Jan has secured important clinical partnerships, introduced a range of new services and improved pathways of care,” he said.

“BCH is a vibrant sub-regional health service and has experienced growth in its staff and volunteers, increased its activity levels and actively engaged and connected with its community.

“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Jan for her dedication and drive to improving health outcomes for our community. She leaves BCH with all our best wishes for her future.”

As well as the development of the new hospital at Wonthaggi and other services across the Bass Coast subregion, Jan Child was synonymous with this region’s response to the COVID pandemic, often making arrangements well into the night, and early morning, as local health services shifted gear to set up testing and vaccination stations, or extend hours in response to need and changes in government requirements.

The health service has moved quickly to maintain business as usual.

“In the short term, Bass Coast Health Board has appointed long-serving executive Shaun Brooks to the acting CEO role. We thank Shaun for stepping into the role, effective immediately, to provide our staff and patients with continuity ahead of a formal recruitment process,” said Mr Thompson.