As part of his welcome, Mr Blair spoke to Ms Dougan about her role in leading a wider programme of work focussed on the DHBs collaborating on keeping communities healthy and well.
Having a joint Chief Executive is about bringing a clear vision of a unified health service across the region to provide better and fairer access to the same excellent healthcare services. Delivering equity through partnerships with Māori and Pasifika communities would also be a priority
“We are supported in this by the priority that the government has placed on equity,” Mr Blair said, reiterating the importance of strong leadership and supporting both DHB Boards to live within their means.
“While this isn’t the main driver for moving to a joint Chief Executive, we do expect you to leverage opportunities to use our shared and available resources vigorously for the benefit of all people in our region.”
Ms Dougan said she was determined to address the challenges of equity for Māori and Pasifika communities through working with both DHBs to deliver resilient and sustainable health services.
“It’s absolutely about doing the right thing. While I’m originally from Scotland, I’ve always called New Zealand home and I’m honoured to be serving this community in this very fundamental way,” she said.
Fionnagh Dougan bio
Fionnagh Dougan was most recently the Chief Executive of the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, a role she held since January 2015, and is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Queensland.
As Chief Executive Fionnagh built a strong, united culture and established an aspirational vision and value set for the new organisation. This has been fundamental to the development of Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service and transformed it into a top-performing and highly-regarded organisation. The Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service now has a system leadership role in supporting the other 15 general Hospital and Health Services across the state.
Starting her career as a nurse, Fionnagh has postgraduate qualifications in health management, an honours degree in communication, and has held dual registration and experience as both a mental health and a general nurse.
Prior to her tenure in Queensland, Fionnagh was Director of Provider Services at Auckland DHB. In this role she had overarching responsibility for all hospital, clinical support and community services –
including paediatric and mental health services.
Her other leadership roles at Auckland DHB include Director of Mental Health and Ambulatory Health Services, Director Cardiovascular and Mental Health Service Groups, and General Manager of Starship Children’s Hospital.
Fionnagh is the current President of Children’s Hospitals Australasia, a Member of the Health Roundtable, and a Member of the International Children’s Hospitals Executive.
