Clinical Council

Gippsland PHN is a not for profit organisation that works at a regional level to achieve improved whole of system health care. We work with communities, general practice, allied health, hospitals and other primary and community health providers; to drive, support and strengthen primary health in Gippsland to meet the needs of local communities.

Clinical Council

We are consumer focused and established to reduce fragmentation of care by integrating and coordinating health services and supporting general practice. We leverage and administer health program funding from a variety of sources to commission flexible services to realise our vision of a measurably healthier Gippsland.

A key component of PHN governance is the Clinical Council (CC). The Clinical Council reports on clinical issues to inform PHN Board decisions. This ensures general practice and other health professionals are major contributors to the organisation and working together to drive local health system improvement.

The Clinical Council is tasked to be an advisory body to the Gippsland PHN Board by:

  • Reporting on opportunities to improve medical and health care services through strategic, cost-effective innovation and investment.
  • Ensuring a local population health planning focus in the context of the broader Gippsland region.
  • Providing advice regarding advocacy for local initiatives which support local and national health priorities.
  • Providing advice on service and program design being undertaken by Gippsland PHN
  • Providing advice regarding locally relevant clinical care pathways designed to improve quality, streamline services, and utilise existing health resources effectively.
  • Reviewing and identifying risk relevant to proposed programs and models of care.
  • Providing such other advisory input as the Gippsland PHN Board or Executive may request from time to time.

Clinical Council Members
Dr Mitchell Kraan, general practitioner (Chair)
Dr Letitia Clark, general practitioner (Board sponsor)
Dr Noah Pallot (Board sponsor)
Joelene Gathercole, physiotherapist
Denise Escreet, respiratory and chronic disease nurse
Helen Spicer, director/senior clinician counselling
Dr Sophie Lindstedt, general practitioner
Dr Lloyd Waters, general practitioner
John Nicolson, practice manager
Kylie Lancaster, centre manager
Lindy Thunder, community nurse manager
Dr Ajit Nair, respiratory, sleep, and internal medicine physician
Bradley Hogan, A/MICA team manager
Sue Dunkley, nurse
Tess Watt, manager addiction services
Dr Romey Giles, general practitioner
Dr Cassie Rickard, general practitioner