By Fiona Clark
St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals’ new Chief Executive Officer, Dr Glen Power, is spearheading the final stages of the $430 million development that is on track to open in November this year.
As well as putting the finishing touches to construction, Glen and his team are about to begin an extensive commissioning program to ensure that vital equipment and technology is in place and staff training is completed in readiness for the arrival of the collocated public and private hospitals’ first patients.
He said he already feels a great sense of excitement for what the new hospitals will bring to meeting the health needs of Perth’s eastern suburbs close to home.
“The new and expanded services, the high-quality clinical care and the close links that we will develop with health providers across the community will be integral to the growth of this region of over 300,000 people,” Glen said.
“The hospitals will also reach out to rural areas right up the Great Eastern and Great Northern Highways, and have an impact on health outcomes well outside their immediate setting.
“I look forward to working with the State Government, our partners in this project, as well as our caregivers, the referring GP community and all specialists who will treat patients at Midland,” he said.
Glen took up his new role in early January and brings to it significant experience in hospital management, public private partnerships, health policy and Aboriginal health.
Previous positions have included chief executive and general manager roles at five other hospitals and health services across Australia. In Western Australia, Glen has served as chief of staff and principal policy adviser to a previous Minister for Health.
St John of God Midland Public Hospital is part of the State Government’s Bigger Picture project that includes WA Health’s investment of more than $7 billion in building new hospitals and improving existing health facilities.
Construction of the $360m Midland public hospital is on time and budget and free, State Government-funded public hospital services provided by St John of God Health Care will commence on schedule in November.