NT Health Chief Executive Professor Catherine Stoddart has advised me of her resignation effective February 2021.
Professor Stoddart will be returning to Western Australia to be closer to her family, and I wish her all the best for her future endeavours.
Professor Stoddart has made an outstanding contribution to the NT Health Department that she has led for four years – in particular playing an active role in the Territory Labor Government’s COVID-19 response.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Professor Stoddart has been an integral part of the Security and Emergency Subcommittee of Cabinet (SEMC), has led the NT’s frontline health response across airports, health facilities, quarantine centres and borders, and the recruitment of 100 frontline staff to assist the COVID-19 response.
Dr Hugh Heggie will continue to lead the NT’s COVID-19 response and his position on the SEMC.
Professor Stoddart has been at the helm of NT Health for the construction and delivery of the 116 bed Palmerston Regional Hospital, the NT’s first PET scanner, a $40 million expansion of the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre, and has overseen a full transition to the NDIS.
Renal services across the Northern Territory have also expanded under the stewardship of Professor Stoddart, and in Alice Springs substantial upgrades to the hospital facilities including new Cardiology and Oncology clinical spaces and a new jointly-funded hospice.
Deputy CE, Mr David Braines-Mead will act in the role whilst a recruitment process is undertaken.
As noted by NT Health CE Professor Catherine Stoddart:
“Being the CEO of NT Health during these unprecedented times and working with the amazing people of NT health, and Territorians more broadly has been the highlight of my career.”
