Christmas message from the Chief Executive

As another year comes to a close, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work during another busy and successful year at Western Sydney Local Health District. More than two million occasions of service have been provided to the people of western Sydney and beyond.

I’d like to acknowledge the wisdom and dedication of the WSLHD Board under the leadership of Board chair Richard Alcock. The Board has provided thoughtful and effective stewardship of our organisation during the past 7 years of enormous change and opportunity for our organisation.

I also wish to thank my management team for their expertise and hard work during 2017 and their strong partnership with other leaders and staff responsible for the important services we provide to our patients and communities.

We have worked strongly with our many partners throughout the year. Indeed our broader relationship network has been essential to many of our successes throughout the year and will be critical to our future success. Reflecting on the past year I would especially like to acknowledge our Primary Healthcare Network, Wentwest; NSW Health Infrastructure; Sydney University; Greater Sydney Commission; Transport for NSW; the local governments of Blacktown and Parramatta cities; Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney First; Western Sydney University; Jobs for NSW and the Western Sydney Dialogue.

Just some of our accomplishments during 2017 include:

• improving the way hospitals and GPs work together through our integrated care service
• increasing our scientific program though Sydney Health Partners
• implementing a very large suite of new clinical and corporate technology solutions to enhance the way we do business
• growing our volunteer workforce which is such a critical aspect of our engagement with our community
• getting on with the over $2 billion capital investment at Cumberland, Mount Druitt, Blacktown and Westmead hospitals
• celebrating 30 years of pancreas transplantations and saving more than 500 lives at Westmead hospital
• expanding our diabetes program of work in the diabetes hot spot of western Sydney
• starting the western Sydney metabolic surgery service at Blacktown hospital
• launching a new and free telephone health coach service, part of a health initiative to get people moving and off their lounges
• opening Westmead Hospital’s new multi-storey car park.

And there is soo much more!!!

2018 will be fantastic. Challenges, yes. Opportunities, plenty. If we work together and with our partners, more success for sure!