Lead Partner for Health at KPMG Canberra and former chief executive of South Metropolitan Health (Western Australia) and St Vincent’s Health (Victoria), Ms Nicole Feely, will be the next ACT Health Director General, Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Minister for Health Simon Corbell announced today. “I am very happy to announce that Ms Feely will be taking over as Director General of ACT Health in the coming months,” Mr Barr said. “Ms Feely has a proven track-record of running efficient, effective health services in both Western Australia and Victoria and I’m confident she will be able to do the same here in the ACT.” Mr Corbell said Ms Feely’s experience in running large health services made her the perfect candidate to look after the complex needs of the ACT Health Service. “Ms Feely’s record as a senior leader in the health sector is outstanding,” Mr Corbell said. “ACT Health is a large, complex health service that needs to cater for a large variety of needs. As the main health service for not only the people of the ACT but also for the greater region, ACT Health is responsible for the physical and mental wellbeing of more than 600,000 people. “Having run large health services before, Ms Feely has the experience and the knowledge necessary to take the reins of ACT Health.” Ms Feely will take-over from outgoing Director General, Dr Peggy Brown, who in February announced her intention to not renew her contract when it comes to an end this year. “I would again like to thank Dr Brown for her many years of distinguished service to the ACT,” Mr Corbell said. “Dr Brown has led the ACT Health System through a period of significant reform and expansion and is widely respected across the ACT health system.” As well as a strong background in delivering health services on a large scale Ms Feely has also a proven administrative history in other sectors, including as a general manager for the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, as chief executive of the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, and as chief of staff to former prime minister John Howard. Ms Feely said she was looking forward to the challenge of continuing to deliver a high-quality health service to the people of the ACT. “It will be a privilege to lead ACT Health over the coming years and together with my team, we will work to find constructive and practical solutions to the challenges facing the service whilst striving on a daily basis to deliver a quality, patient focused health service for the people of the ACT and its regions,” Ms Feely said. Ms Feely will assume the role of Director General of ACT Health in the coming months. (Joint Barr-Corbell media release)