24 April 2014

Settlement will take place on 5 May 2014 and Mercy Hospital will be known as St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital from this time.

Ms Chris Hanna has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital, reporting to Dr Lachlan Henderson, Executive Director Perth Northern Hospitals.

She will commence in her new role at settlement.

Currently, Ms Hanna is Director of Nursing and Midwifery at St John of God Subiaco Hospital. She has been with St John of God Health Care for more than ten years.

Chris has extensive experience in senior management roles within hospitals and detailed knowledge of St John of God Health Care’s culture, systems and processes, critical for leading the hospital through the transition to becoming part of St John of God Health Care.

St John of God Health Care Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Michael Stanford said he was delighted the approvals had been secured and that planning for the integration was well advanced.

“We have been working closely with MercyCare since they accepted our offer to ensure a smooth and speedy transition once the purchase was approved.

“Integration is progressing well and feedback from doctors, external community partners and Mercy Mt Lawley Hospital staff has been very positive.”

Dr Stanford said while the immediate focus is on successfully completing the integration, the next task would be to continue updating and refurbishing selected equipment and facilities.

“As we previously announced, we intend to invest in expanding the facilities and services of the hospital.

“We have a particular focus on rehabilitation and also intend to grow obstetrics, medicine and surgery in an integrated way with our existing Perth metropolitan hospitals.

“We have a long-term plan of capital investment for the future of St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital and continuing our tradition of outstanding patient-centred care.”

MercyCare Chief Executive Officer Chris Hall said that while the transfer of ownership was an important decision in the history of Mercy Hospital, MercyCare will not be departing health care.

“We are moving our focus from acute health care to more community health care, and indeed to areas of emerging need such as mental health,” he said.