The search for a new permanent Chief Executive (CE) of Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) is expected to be finalised soon, potentially in early January.
Brad Astill has been the Interim CE since taking up the role earlier this year on July 15, following the departure of Umit Agis who resigned in June 2022.
FWLHD Board Member Wincen Cuy says he expects an announcement soon as the recruitment process nears its conclusion.
“There’s been two rounds and from a briefing we’ve had, there are good quality applications, and we shouldn’t be too far away from some sort of announcement,” Mr Cuy said.
“Quite obviously there’s a process we’ll need to go through, there’ll need to be notification of successful or not successful [applicants] before we can make any announcement but I’m led to believe it shouldn’t be too far away.”
Mr Astill, while not being involved in the process of selecting an appropriate candidate for the new CE role, outlined part of the process, offering his advice to any potential applicant.
“I’m not actually actively involved in the process at all but definitely the Board and the Ministry of Health go out to the market and see if there’s applicants out there who are interested in the role,” he said.
“Clearly they fill in the applicants on what the role entails, there’s opportunity for any applicants to speak to me about what the role entails as well if they want to and it’s pretty much a normal sort of recruitment process, people apply, have interviews and so on and so forth.
“Obviously the Board Chair’s heavily involved, as is the Ministry of Health, and normally on the panel they have a CE from another LHD to sort of be the subject matter expert, if you like, through that process.
“This is my second stint here doing exactly the same thing. I came out here three years ago just before Umit Agis was appointed so I love the work here, I think it’s a fantastic place to work, the work’s really fascinating, really interesting, a great community to work with.
“They’re heavily engaged in how the health services are shaped and how they’re delivered, and a really dedicated group of staff so it’s an absolute pleasure to work with the staff in the Far West because they’re so committed to the community.”
