Forensicare’s new Board Chair announced

We are very excited to announce and welcome Ken Lay AO AMP as the new Chair of the Forensicare Board.

Beginning his role as Board Chair on 10 April 2019, Ken brings Forensicare a wealth of knowledge and experience from his highly-respected career as the former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police. In 2017, Ken was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to law enforcement and community leadership. He is now the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, Chair of the Ambulance Victoria Board, and the former Advisory Board Chair of Answering the Call, part of Beyond Blue’s Police and Emergency Services Program. He has also previously chaired the Advisory Panel on the national response to Reducing Violence Against Women and Children, as well as the Prime Minister’s National Ice Taskforce.

We also have the pleasure of welcoming Sue Williams, the Chief of Health Operations at Cabrini Hospital, as a new director on our Board. Sue brings her more than 25 years of expertise in the healthcare industry to the organisation, with former roles including the Director of Nursing at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Chief Operating Officer at Healthscope, and Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Health, where she managed over 5000 staff across 12 sites. She is also presently on the Board of Better Care Victoria.

Forensicare CEO Tom Dalton said he is eager for the pair to bring their expertise to the organisation.

“We are really excited Ken and Sue will be joining us at Forensicare. I look forward to working with them in Forensicare’s next stage of strategic growth,” Tom said.

“Ken has a distinguished history in Victoria Police, and has provided great leadership to a very important institution.”

“In more recent years, he has been the Chair at Ambulance Victoria, and through this, has had significant exposure at Board level to Victoria’s healthcare system.”

“Sue has worked in the private health system, and has been involved at a senior Victorian and national level in many mental healthcare services.”

“I know she is really focused on good patient care, and this is one of the many assets she will bring to our committed Board of Directors.”

We would also like to thank our departing Board members for the invaluable contributions they have made to the organisation.

Bill Healy AM has been Forensicare’s Board Chair since 2013, and has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation during a period of massive growth. He was also recently awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honour’s List.

“Bill has provided strong leadership throughout his time as Chair. He has argued tirelessly for the need for greater service planning, and better (and more) facilities for consumers and staff at all levels of government,” Tom said.

“He has always been a strong supporter of people with a lived experience of mental illness, and ensuring the Board reflected the voice of the consumer in their decision making.”

“We will miss his wisdom, experience and good humour.”

Forensicare would also like to send a big thank you to Janet Farrow, Dr Cristea Mileshkim, and Andrew Buckle, who are also stepping down as Board Directors. Together, they have contributed an incredible 19 years to the organisation.

“During her time as Director, Janet chaired the Clinical Governance and Audit Committees. She brought her many skills to the role—some of which she learned from working in forensic mental health even before Forensicare was established. I have appreciated her personal support and generosity,” Tom said.

“As Director, Cris also provided service on the Audit Committee, and more recently chairing the Clinical Governance Committee. As a psychiatrist who has spent her career in the public system, she has been a strong voice for the consumer experience on the Board, imparting her understanding of the many complexities in the mental health system.”

“Andrew brought focus and his clinical governance skills to the Audit Committee and Strategic Planning Committee, and has been a fantastic contributor to setting the organisation’s strategy. “

Forensicare will miss the contributions of all its outgoing Board members, and wishes them the best in their future endeavours.

The two remaining additional Board vacancies are expected to be filled later this year.