21 August 2008

Leading oncologist named new Chief Health Officer

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today announced that leading oncologist, Professor Jim Bishop AO, has been appointed as the NSW Chief Health Officer.

Ms Meagher said Professor Bishop is currently the Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Institute NSW and his new role will more closely align cancer research and treatment with the general health portfolio.

"Professor Bishop brings to the position of Chief Health Officer more than 25 years experience as a practicing consultant and health administrator and I congratulate him on his appointment," Ms Meagher said.

"The role of the Chief Health Officer is instrumental in monitoring and implementing policy and services to improve life expectancy and health outcomes for people across NSW.

"NSW is a world leader in cancer treatment and research and I expect Professor Bishop will apply his experience in that area, and as a leading clinician, to his new role."

Professor Bishop's career includes positions with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute in Melbourne; he was the founding Director of the Sydney Cancer Centre and directed the Cancer Service for the Central Sydney Area Health Service.

"One of the many strengths Professor Bishop brings to the role is his proven ability to forge close links with Australia's medical fraternities and researchers. This will help to ensure that NSW has the best available evidence on which to base health policies," Ms Meagher said.

Professor Bishop said he is looking forward to his new role.

"The position of Chief Health Officer will allow me to look strategically at the State's disease burden, population risk factors and ways to improve prevention and early detection strategies," Professor Bishop said.

"As Chief Health Officer I see my role as working for the people of NSW and to improve health outcomes for the community through the development of innovative policy, improved public awareness and service delivery programs.

"Directing and developing a range of population health and health protection services in areas such as reducing the risk of disease, communicable disease control and environmental health will be a challenge - one that I am looking forward to."

A distinguished practitioner, researcher and author, Professor Bishop is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRACPA) in haematology.

Professor Bishop will take up his new position shortly and will continue in his current position as the Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au