MEDIA RELEASE – 03 February 2022
HEALTH SERVICE APPOINTS NEW MEDICAL LEADER
Seymour Health welcomes highly regarded and experienced clinician, Dr Dean Pritchard to the role of Director Medical Services (DMS) at the health service.
Prior to commencing at Seymour Health, Dr Pritchard MBBS (Hons) FACEM CEDE was the Deputy Director of Emergency Department Northern Health for seven years, although he has now retired from this position to take up this role in Seymour. He brings a wealth of experience through other roles including; Chair – Senior Medical Staff Association, Clinical Advisor – Safer Care Victoria and Emergency Physician at Northern Health. Dr Pritchard has also held the role of the Chair – Seymour Health Clinical Governance Committee since 2018. His new appointment will strengthen clinical governance for the organisation and will drive continuing quality care improvements for our community.
Dr Pritchard has developed a passion for addressing the inequity of health care cross Victoria. He has a specific interest in developing knowledge and skills to influence on a different level, not just clinically, but also helping to redesign the system to improve public access to quality healthcare.
As the new DMS and member of the Seymour Health Executive Team, Dr Pritchard is responsible for providing medical leadership and effective clinical governance. The role involves ensuring a high standard of medical care is provided to all inpatients and outpatients treated by the health service. Dr Pritchard will be actively engaged with the Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs), Nurse Practitioners and nursing staff to ensure a high level of care is provided and maintained.
“I am really looking forward to getting out in the first few weeks to meet the local doctors, VMOs and Nurse Practitioners; to see what is here and how we can use what is here to make things better and figure out where the gaps are,” said Dr Pritchard.
“My initial focus will involve forming these relationships, which are important in strengthening the connection between the hospital and the local GP clinics,“ he said.
Ward Steet, Chief Executive Office Seymour Health confirms that the appointment provides a great opportunity for the local health service to be expertly guided in new directions.
“Our health service considers it an absolute coup to secure a clinician of the calibre of Dr Pritchard who has the necessary experience from both a clinical and governance perspective that is pivotal to successful service planning and medical workforce planning,” said Mr Steet.
The new DMS will be on onsite once a week at Seymour Health and available by phone for the remainder of the time.
Dr Pritchard commenced in his new position at Seymour Health on 3rd February 2022.
If you would like further information, please contact Jodie Fincham, Communications Manager, Seymour Health ph.
5793 6323 or jodie.fincham@seymourhealth.org.au