Message from the board chair Trevor Danos AM
As I prepare to conclude my time as Chair of Northern Sydney Local Health District on 17 August 2026, I have been reflecting on what has been an extraordinary privilege. Over the past decade, I have had the opportunity to work alongside exceptional people united by a common purpose – delivering outstanding healthcare to our community. When I joined the district in late 2016, I quickly recognised the talent, dedication and commitment of our staff. Since then, I have watched the district grow into one of Australia’s leading public health services. Together, we have strengthened services, embraced innovation, expanded research and delivered major infrastructure projects, all while maintaining our focus on patient care. There have been many highlights. We have seen significant investment across our hospitals and community services, including the redevelopment of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, progress on the Ryde Hospital redevelopment, the opening of AYAH at Manly, development of the RNSH campus master plan, expanded services at Mona Vale Hospital, new community health facilities and, more recently, the successful transition of Northern Beaches Hospital into the public health system. These achievements will benefit our patients and communities for many years to come. We have also continued to strengthen our risk management and quality assurance systems. The district has earned the confidence of the NSW Ministry of Health by being one of the first districts to rollout the Single Digital Patient Record and voluntary assisted dying services, while demonstrating genuine leadership in sustainability, planetary health, prevention and response to violence, abuse and neglect (PARVAN), and diversity and inclusion. I am equally proud of our commitment to innovation. We have strengthened research and clinical trials, built partnerships with five universities and the NORTH Foundation, expanded virtual care, embraced digital and AI transformation, established nursing and midwifery and allied health staff councils, created a youth advisory board and positioned ourselves as a leader in the future of healthcare. These initiatives are improving patient care while enhancing staff and clinician experience and shaping a healthier future. Yet our greatest achievement is not a building, program or piece of technology. It has always been our people.
Throughout my time as Chair, I have been inspired by the compassion, professionalism, dedication and expertise of staff across our district. Whether meeting teams during site visits, hearing patient stories at Board meetings or attending staff breakfasts, I have seen firsthand the extraordinary difference you make every day. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated these qualities more clearly than ever. Faced with unprecedented challenges, staff across every profession and service responded with resilience, courage and an unwavering commitment to patients and one another. It remains one of the proudest chapters in our district’s history and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when we work together. I have also been fortunate to work alongside outstanding leaders, including our Chief Executives, Deb Willcox and Anthony Schembri, whose leadership, integrity and vision have helped shape the district into the high- performing organisation it is today. I also thank my fellow Board members and Executive team for their commitment to good governance, transparency and supporting our people to succeed. As I step away from this role, I do so with immense confidence in the future of Northern Sydney Local Health District. The district is well placed to continue leading in research, education, innovation and clinical excellence while delivering compassionate care to our communities and attracting and retaining outstanding staff. Thank you for your dedication, professionalism and commitment to making a difference every day. It has been my great privilege to serve as your Chair. Although I am retiring from this role, I will always remain one of the district’s strongest supporters. I leave with wonderful memories, immense pride in everything we have achieved together and every confidence that the best is still to come.
Warm regards,
Trevor Danos AM Board Chair Northern Sydney Local Health District
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NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE13| 17 JULY 2026
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